O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures for ever. 1 Chronicles 16.34
“Thank you.” Two short words that speak volumes. An acknowledgement of how much we depend on each other at nearly every point of the day.
At Mass on New Years Day we thought about the three simple words ‘Thank You, God.’ We were invited to say things we thank God for – and the answers were lovely and inspiring – health, joy, food, mercy, God’s care, our church, peace, love… We had answers from all ages.
We were invited to make a New Year’s resolution – at least for the first few days of the year. In the evening pick out any events that lead you to say “thank- you “ to God. They may be small and insignificant, but if they were good, they perhaps lifted your spirits. At the end of the day, before sleep, think of them and say ‘Thank you, God.’ We may even take pen and paper and list them.
And so as the days of the year continue encourage this simple habit in prayer. At the end of each day, find something, again something perhaps unremarkable, but something that cheered you, and say “Thank – you”. Just being aware of a feeling of gratitude lifts your spirits.
Some days may have been awful on all counts, we may even be glad a year is ending, yet even the fact that it has come to an end might be a cause for saying “Thank – you “ or “thank God”. We end then on a positive note.
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