October 29, 2024

While there is no “one size fits all” recipe for a happy life, there are some standard ingredients that we all can incorporate to live a more joyful life. And among those, perhaps the most important is gratitude. In fact, I can’t think of one person who lives his or her life in gratitude for the blessings that God has bestowed upon them who isn’t also a joyful person. 

Gratitude is a decision. It’s not always something that comes easily or naturally. When a loved one is called home to God, do we curse him for taking them away or do we thank him for the time we had with them? When our financial situation changes for the worse, do we curse God because our cash flow is diminished or thank him because we are still much more fortunate than many others around the world? And when we become ill, do we curse God for the sickness or thank him for giving us faith to help us through the ordeal? These are real-life situations and challenges that many of us face—and they are also real decisions about how we choose to cope with them. 

Throughout my many years of ministry, I have been blessed to meet people on a regular basis who understand how generous the Lord has been to them. They know this means they should, in turn, help the less fortunate. All year long, and especially around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I am humbled by the kindness and generosity shown to Mercy Home’s ministries. 

There are young children who donate their allowance to make sure that the children of Mercy Home have a safe and loving place to grow up. I meet families who decide that instead of buying presents for themselves, they will donate presents to the boys and girls entrusted to our care. These are extraordinary people who remind me that there is no such thing as passive gratitude. Instead, gratitude must be lived with the knowledge that God blesses us so that we may then extend his mercy to others. 

In this month of thanksgiving when we take a day to celebrate all we have been given and offer thanks to God for the many ways he has blessed us, I encourage you to reflect on the true nature of gratitude and the role it plays in your life. Know that I will be doing the same and will count your presence in the Mercy Home family as a blessing to me, to our children, and to our Home. 

From all of us at Mercy Home, we wish you and your loved ones many blessings during this special time of year. Please remember the intentions of your fellow parishioners and rest in the knowledge that they are praying for you as well. And know, as always, that my most heartfelt prayers are with you. Happy Thanksgiving!