I'll be honest: I skew naturally toward skepticism (what I’d like to call "realism," haha), but I have discovered that the single greatest tool of surrender and trust is the practice of gratitude. Thanking God is a powerful grace for creatures wrestling to give all to the Creator. Gratitude resets our hearts, minds, and will toward humility, generosity, and—most importantly—to who God really is: a good, perfect Father with not a single thing out of His hands. A thankful heart is much less likely to be an anxious, fearful, closed, or hard heart.
As we approach Thanksgiving, let's prepare more than a feast of awesome abundance—let's prepare our hearts with gratitude for the immeasurable abundance of God's love and providence.
Thank God ahead of time.
+Blessed Solanus Casey
O God, grant that whatever good things I have, I may share generously with those who have not, and whatever good things I do not have, I may request humbly from those who do.
+St Thomas Aquinas
The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that he, in his goodness, sends to us day after day.
+St Gianna Molla
The best way to show your gratitude to God and to people is to accept everything with joy.
+St Teresa of Calcutta
Prayer is an aspiration of the heart. It is a simple glance directed to heaven. It is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy.
+St Thérèse of Lisieux
Get used to lifting your heart to God, in acts of thanksgiving, many times a day. Because he gives you this and that; because you have been despised; because you haven’t what you need or because you have. Thank him for everything, because everything is good.
+St Josemaría Escrivá
Would that I could exhaust myself in acts of thanksgiving and gratitude towards this Divine Heart, for the great favor He shows us.
+St Marguerite-Marie Alacoque
Put out into the deep! These words ring out for us today, and they invite us to remember the past with gratitude, to live the present with enthusiasm and to look forward to the future with confidence.
+St John Paul II
Believe and adore. Adore in humility and gratitude.
+St Jean Vianney
And let's pray together with the grateful heart of St Francis of Assisi:
"Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessings. To You alone, Most High, do they belong,and no man is worthy to mention Your name. Praised be You, my Lord, with all your creatures; especially Brother Sun, who is the day, and through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,and bears a likeness to You, Most High One. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,and through the air, cloudy and serene,and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,through whom You light the night;and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us and who produces varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs. Praised be You, my Lord,through those who give pardon for Your love,and bear infirmity and tribulation. Blessed are those who endure in peace for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned. Praised be You, my Lord,through our Sister Bodily Death,from whom no living man can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin.Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,for the second death shall do them no harm. Praise and bless my Lord,and give Him thanks,and serve Him with great humility. Amen."
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