T… Thankfulness!

Give thanks to God, for God is good,
and God’s mercy endures forever.
Psalm 136:1

T is for Thankfulness. I know I’ve made it abundantly clear in one way or another that life isn’t always perfect for me. Still, I have so much to be thankful for, far more than I ever expected or dared to hope for! The most precious of these gifts aren’t tangible, but they are very real to me just the same. Yes, I am a very blessed soul!

Though I lapsed in reciting my favorite morning prayer for some weeks, I’ve reinstated this practice. Regardless of what the coming day may hold for me, I open my eyes while whispering “Thanks for the sleep!” God knows that these four words express both my gratitude for the rest I enjoyed and my anticipation of many opportunities to offer thanks during the coming twenty-four hours. Though I’ve occasionally forgotten to pray, “Thank you, God”, our benevolent Creator has never forgotten me.

When this life presents unpleasant challenges, I face them most effectively with a grateful heart. I hope God never tires of hearing me pray, “God, I know you have been very good to me, but really? I don’t mean to complain, but how can I deal with this?” It usually takes me a few minutes to adjust my thinking and my prayer. I continue, “Thank you, God, for being with me in everything. I know that all of this will end well. Then, I roll up my sleeves, take a deep breath and do the best I can.

T is for Thankfulness. Today and every day, I will do my best to face everything with a heart full of thankfulness!

Generous God, thank you for everything!

©2019 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

Precious Lives

Return to God,
for God is gracious and merciful…
Joel 2:12-13

A dear friend recently reminisced about her lost brother. His parting three years ago had been painful for many reasons. These siblings had shared a troubled childhood, yet both their lives had taken a turn for the better before he passed. This change made their parting even more difficult than it might have been. As I wrote a note to console her, I stopped to listen to the voice of a newscaster which echoed from the television downstairs. He reported that a young boy had lost his life in a senseless shooting. This parting is painful as well. No parent should ever have to bury a child. The daily paper reported more of the same. No family should have to deal with these sorts of things. Passing naturally is one thing. Passing as a result of violence is something else entirely.

The God of Love knows full well that every life will end with a parting which pains other souls, yet God gives us life just the same. Short or long, each of our lives impacts this world in a unique and lasting way. Even Jesus was not spared the loss of others and the loss of his own life. Still, though Jesus knew full well what was in store, he came to live and to die as one of us. Yes, God values each of our lives and it is truly up to us to do the same.

Loving God, our losses bring to mind the fragility and the importance of every life. Help us to make the most of every day we are given.

©2019 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

Every Day A Good Day!

Cast your care upon the Lord
and he will support you.
Psalm 55:23

Early that morning, I’d engaged in my daily routine which begins with the few exercises which keep my aging frame more limber than it might otherwise be. Though I’m usually invigorated by this regimen, I found myself a bit melancholy. I hadn’t yet recouped the energy I’d expended as I prepared for Easter. Unfortunately, this didn’t deter the new and unwanted to-do list which was forming on my desk. Before I could voice a complaint to myself, a familiar photograph caught my eye.

I exercise in the same spot most days, but my thoughts usually prevent me from attending to the scenery. That morning, however, my sister Cecele demanded my attention. This particular picture was taken in the midst of the chemotherapy regimen which we hoped would destroy the cancer in her lungs. Only a bit of fuzz served as Cecele’s hair when she posed, but it’s difficult to notice. Every time I see that photograph, I’m drawn to my sister’s dancing eyes and her broad smile. That morning, those eyes twinkled and I’m certain that her smile grew even larger.

“Yes, Cecele, I get the point!” I told my sister. “I won’t complain and I will be grateful for this new day.” Cecele had been grateful for every day she was given after that final diagnosis took her by surprise. And, yes, after breakfast, I started working on that to-do list with my own grateful smile!

Patient God, thank you for the numerous reminders that this life is truly a gift!

©2019 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

They’re All Potentially Good Days

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Psalm 90:14

I have only vague memories of rare “bad” days when I seemed to have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed. Though I never figured out which side of the bed was “wrong,” a dear friend showed me how to begin every day with a positive attitude.

Carol and I had known one another for only a year when her husband was transferred and their family relocated to a distant city. We’d become fast friends, so this loss was difficult for both of us. We kept in touch via the phone and email. I also kept Carol in the loop regarding our church by sending her our parish bulletin each week. When our first Christmas apart arrived, Carol sent me a daily devotional to thank me for my effort. Though this was a completely unnecessary gesture, it has had long-lasting and life-changing ramifications.

It took only a few weeks for that devotional to become part of my daily routine. I found that I remembered to read it every day if I did so first thing in the morning. Though every reflection wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea, each author managed to cast a positive light on the new day. Ever since, regardless of what life brings my way, this attitude adjuster assists me in facing everything with hope and joy. That devotional also inspired me to do the same for others through my own books and these posts. One never knows just how powerful a single act of kindness can be.

Loving God, help us all to begin every new day with joyful anticipation of the things to come. May our example give others reason to do the same.

©2018 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

T is for…

Give thanks to God, for God is good,
and God’s mercy endures forever.
Psalm 136:1

T is for Thanksgiving. I’m ashamed to say that I’ve probably made it crystal clear in too many ways that life isn’t always perfect for me. At the same time, I truly hope that I’ve made it equally clear that I have much to be thankful for, far more than I ever expected or dared to hope for. Though the most precious of these gifts are intangible, they are very real to me just the same. Yes, I’m a very blessed soul.

This is the reason that I occasionally look into my mirror to give myself a stern look when I respond to life’s trials with something less than thanksgiving. When unpleasant challenges arise, I’ve been known to address my patient God with, “God, I know you’ve been very good to me, but really? I don’t mean to complain, but how can I deal with this?” My stern look, which is far more menacing than anything God would send my way, always assists me in adjusting my thinking and my prayer. So it is that I continue with, “Thank you, God, for being with me in everything. I know that all of this will end well. In the mean time, help me to respond as you would.”

T is for Thanksgiving. Our ability to be grateful is key to our happiness and our joy. Today and every day, I will do my best to face everything with a heart full of thanksgiving. Trust me. This effort makes all of the difference in the world and I encourage you to do the same.

Generous God, thank you for everything!

©2018 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

Good God!

She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and put her hand on his cloak. “If I just touch his clothing,”
she thought, “I will get well.”
Mark 5:27-28

In recognition an impending day off, my friend who is a teacher announced, “God is good!” As soon as I heard her exclamation, images of my great-aunt Sister Gerard came to mind. Like my teacher friend, Sister Gerard often used this phrase in response to the blessings in her life. Come to think of it, Sister Gerard also repeated this observation in the aftermath of tragedies large and small. This dear woman was convinced that God infused goodness into the best and worst of times and into everything in between. Today, I’m going to take a lesson from my teacher friend. Today, I will find reason to praise God in the gift of this new day. I’ll also take a lesson from my dear great-aunt. Like Sister Gerard, I will look for God’s favor in every moment which lies ahead.

you know, the woman in Mark’s gospel who struggled through the crowd to touch Jesus’ cloak offers a lesson as well. She knew God’s goodness was within reach. Her efforts paved the way for the rest of us to reach for the same in the joy of a day off, in the warmth of the autumn sun or in the eyes of a loved one who will leave us too soon. When we look carefully into the moment at hand, we find that, indeed, God is good!

Good and Wondrous God, thank you for everything!

©2017 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved