Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States—a day set aside for gratitude and gatherings. We know well the psychological, physical, and spiritual benefits of gratitude. Most of us has seen first-hand the fruits of thankfulness in our lives. We understand that our mind space shifts if we begin or end the day by writing down a handful of people or things we are especially thankful for that day.
We are slower, however, to be thankful for ourselves.
Understand that I don't insinuate an egotistical thanksgiving for oneself that is rooted in pride. On the contrary, I mean that we are quick to dismiss the glory of God that He wants to reveal in us, His creation—His children.
It is easy for us to identify the goodness in others, others' lives, or our own circumstances. It is also easy for us to condemn the smallest imperfections we witness in our hearts or personalities. We can be ruthless with ourselves to the point of self-hatred and self-destruction. The antidote is not the shallow gospel of "self-love" preached by our culture; the antidote is found in an identity rooted in the Creator.
Today's reading reminds us to "bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb, and fashions them according to his will" (Sirach 50:22).
The God Who fashioned the wonders of the world is the same God Who fashioned you. He has "fashioned your growth"—your story—in every season. He has been there all along, seeing the goodness in you that you were perhaps unable to see yourself. When others have abandoned you, He stayed. When you wonder if you are worthy of love, He spares nothing to save you. When all you see are your shortcomings, He sees a masterpiece of His Heart.
So today, on Thanksgiving Day, thank the Lord for the wonder He has made you. Thank Him for loving you even in your faults and failings. And when He looks at you with merciful love, accept that love and live gratefully in it.
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