Thankful

THANK-FUL – adjective

Pleased and relieved

Synonyms – grateful, appreciative, filled with gratitude, relieved

A feeling of gratefulness and appreciation.

At the top of my list of people to be thankful for are the Little Sisters of the Assumption. Women who have devoted their lives to changing the world, devoted their lives so that all may have a voice.

Last week I was traveling to an event to honor Sr. Margaret Leonard, a Little Sister of the Assumption who has served for more than 30 years in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

As I was driving I was thinking a lot about how much my life has been transformed by the Little Sisters. I was feeling so THANKFUL for their presence in my life and for opening my eyes to so many issues and for seeing potential in me.

I was also thinking a lot about another situation in my life, someone I love very dearly had no place to sleep that night and was prepared to sleep in the woods. It made me feel so sad. I lost that THANKFUL feeling as I thought about this situation.

As I pulled into the driveway of my destination, there was my friend (a Little Sister) to greet me. Seeing her standing there flooded my soul with that THANKFUL feeling again! I sat with her and had a cry and shared my sad story. Later that evening, I got a text message from the person I mentioned earlier, saying that someone had offered a place to stay. A kind stranger had offered their couch. Filled with that Thankful feeling again!

I will step out of my comfort zone this holiday season! I don’t know what I will be called to do, but I do know we must reach out and do something from that place of thankfulness.

What will you do with your THANKFULNESS?