When I look at the sky, or when I look at nature or anything at all, the first thing I try to look for is a heart. One of the reasons is because it affirms me of one of the greatest desires I have… But a few days ago, it led me to think, why is it that when we seek something in such pursuit and with such passion, it is because there is a deep longing for some kind of affirmation hopefully waiting ahead, or because we just want it so badly? When I look at the sky, why is it that the first thing I look for is a heart? Why is it that when I think of love, I think of God, of Mary, of my family, all my loved ones? Why is it that when we think of something, we think of the obvious?
This week, the Lord has challenged me to look deeper, and simpler. As the days passed, instead of looking at the sky, searching for hearts, I looked and saw it for its simplest beauty. I noticed how when you look at different ends when the sun is rising or setting, the colours of the sky are completely different colours. On one end, it’s a setting orange, and on another, it’s a setting deep blue and purple. Then, in the midst of it all, it is some sort of green or teal. So simple, yet so beautiful. But why is it that I only noticed this now?
When it comes to love, why is it that the first thing I think of is my family, God, my loved ones, and all of the good memories? This week, I have found myself looking at all the suffering… all the pain I’ve witnessed to and experienced, myself… The times I’ve cried… The times I’ve complained (about my food, about the weather…everything and anything) And I found myself being grateful for them all… Now, the GOOD and the BAD.
Somewhere is this world, one person doesn’t have a family…
Somewhere in this world, one person has to make do with one meal a week…
…or a day, if they’re lucky…
Somewhere in this world, someone has nothing and no one to believe in…
Somewhere in this world, someone doesn’t know what a friend is…
Somewhere in this world, someone has hardened their heart to not feel pain…
… to not feel suffering, and because of that…
Somewhere in this world, someone doesn’t know…
…what it feels like to be humbled,
…what it feels like to grow,
…what it feels like to love,
…and to be loved.
In my life, LOVE… at its finest, is when I’ve been so deeply hurt, and not only understood that pain, but accepted it… When I sincerely and wholeheartedly accepted it all (all the pain that others have caused me, and the pain I have caused others), and journey through it and grow from it with the Lord. To experience love at its finest is to not only rejoice in all the good things, but to also see the reason to rejoice in the bad. To LOVE wholeheartedly is to see God in ALL things, and to LOVE Him in all things and all people, even when it is hardest.
Thank You, Lord, for my family,
Thank You, Lord, for all my friends,
Thank You, Lord, for giving me a house where I need to spend a day to clean because it more than just provides,
Thank You, Lord, for life,
Thank You, Lord, for health,
Thank You, Lord, for the hardships that have taught me to be simple and constantly strive to be happy to live simply,
Thank You, Lord, for all the pain that has challenged me to see that You are greater than all,
Thank You, Lord, for the people that have come and gone in my life, for they have brought great joy to me, but also great suffering that has made the victories that much more joyful,
Thank You, Lord, for You,
for You have planned it all, saw it all, and continue to CHOOSE to love ME, WANT me, and constantly PURSUE ME each and every day above all…
AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST,
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of mission… to be able to be given an opportunity each day, to show others that there will ALWAYS be something and someone to love and be grateful for, and that to love at its finest…is to do it together!
Happy Thanksgiving, Papa G!