Time to Pause and Give Thanks

When we enjoy good health, a profitable job, or a loving family, we easily remark that God has blessed us. Does this mean God is only on the side of the rich and famous?  Can’t these successes simply be the result of hard work or inherited wealth?

Then there are those who do work vigorously with little results. And we know many who seem to experience only poor health, or entire families who just never get their act together. Does God not bless these equally and the same as everybody else?

Of course, he does. God unconditionally loves everyone the same. God doesn’t make mistakes. He creates the rich and the poor, those who live with wonderful health, and those who experience days of chronic pain.  God sees and loves them all. 

Everyone God creates is promised the same final reward.  His only request is that we love him in return on our good days as well as on our bad days. In fact, Jesus offers his presence, when he sees one of his children struggling as any loving brother will do.

Once Jesus calls us to follow him, he accompanies us.  In fact, when we can’t make the next few steps, he lifts us up for part of the way. This is how much Jesus loves. He means it when he says, “I will never abandon you.” And when weakness or fatigue overwhelm us, Jesus healing grace pours the blessings we need to withstand the oncoming storm.

 During this Thanksgiving time, let us give thanks to our God who sent us such a sensitive and compassionate Savior to be our joy in the good times and our consolation in the difficult moments. 

 St. Francis de Sales wrote:  Never does our God leave us save to hold us better; never does he let go of us save to sustain us better; never does he wrestle with us save to give Himself up to us and bless us.

Happy Thanksgiving