Wonderful Fran over at Fran I Am posted a wonderful comment which reminded me of something I have been trying to stress in my life. That is thankfulness. In my parish and prison ministry it was one of my central points I was preaching about. I have noticed, just in the less than a month I have been away from prison ministry and in the less than 4 months I have been away from parish ministry, that already I'm less attentive to it in my own life.
And this is not because I have less to be thankful for. In fact I have so much to be thankful for.
But I have discovered that it is so very easy to forget to be thankful to God for all the blessings and gifts she gives me.
It is too easy to focus on the negative in life.
As little Emma rolls around on the floor in front of me, my heart is filled with thankfulness for the continued gift of her presence in my life. That thankfulness is tinged with a bit of fear as I know that all too soon she will be leaving and I will have to deal with the pain of separation.
However, pain it not without its positive points as well. And the pain I will feel at Emma's departure will be mixed with the knowledge that her presence in my life has changed me forever. And although she may not remember me in her life, I know that I have contributed in some small way to all she will become.
I will always carry her in my heart and in my prayers.
3 comments:
Oh Robert- thank you for the link and the reference. We all make our meek adjustments along the Way together, don't we?
And yes, those adjustments should probably all begin and end with thank you. If only I could remember that!
Please know how much I pray for you all. And as you will always carry the lovely Emma in your heart, plus you do know that you and Emmanuel are forever imprinted upon her own.
Thank you Fran. You are a blessing and your words are always soothing and appreciated. And your prayers do help in this difficult time!
A very good point Robert. I was thankful for Emma today too. She was very good in church today and I was thinking of what a blessing she has been to everyone. It's so easy to get caught up in the minutia of daily life and so important to stop and be thankful. We have so much to be grateful for.
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