Thanksgiving in the Midst of COVID-19
In times like these, many quickly forget their many blessings and graces which God has given them. Satan undoubtedly uses this as an effective strategy to snag the inattentive Christian. Inattention to God’s blessings in your life hinders the openness to his call. Since you have not noticed how God has provided for you, there is little thank Him for. (cf. Luke 17:11-19; CCC 2637-2638; 1 Thessalonians 5:15) Without thankfulness, the virtue of Love has very little space to grow and humility has no foundation. (CCC 224; 1 Corinthians 4:7-8) The word “Eucharistan” means thanksgiving borrowed from the Greek and also refers to the Jewish blessing. (CCC 1328/1345) All vice results from some form of fear without faith. Jesus promised in Mark 10:29-30, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.” In Bible Study this week, we recalled the promises God gave Abraham. Doing what God asked of Him except leaving his “kinfolk”. He takes his nephew as an heir, not trusting God’s promise to make a great nation of him.
In the last couple weeks, I have seen God holding faithfully to this promise (as always) which is also interwoven with all other promises He made. He has provided for my desire for great community. After the mission trips returned, Matthew Harris, who went on the Mexico City trip, was not allowed access to his dorm. He was looking for a place to spend his weekend keeping in mind the health of his parents. I was glad for this opportunity and invite him to stay with me. The following week we were each other's company making each other meals in the Newman basement and using his meal plan on campus periodically. This provided a grace-filled transition to lesser amounts of the good community (which the Newman center provided), for now, but also the summer months.
Another way I have been blessed is with my job. I was hesitant toward another low-income job just stocking shelves. Knowing this pandemic would come, God, provided me with an essential job. I applied for 4 jobs before I moved to Brookings. All of which I was denied. Trusting in God, I waited until I came to Brookings to apply for another. In the first week of living here, I applied to Hy-Vee and got the job in the interview, which went well. When all else has changed, my job and online classes have not. He also knew which co-workers I would work with, and that some would become great friends of mine. Before I even considered the expiration of my lease He supplied me with another living situation even closer to the Newman.
There are many other things God has blessed me with, that I leave unmentioned and exponentially more which I haven’t noticed. I praise Him for all these. Thank you, my God, for your care for those who love you. How has God been blessing you in these times?
Have a Blessed Easter!
In the last couple weeks, I have seen God holding faithfully to this promise (as always) which is also interwoven with all other promises He made. He has provided for my desire for great community. After the mission trips returned, Matthew Harris, who went on the Mexico City trip, was not allowed access to his dorm. He was looking for a place to spend his weekend keeping in mind the health of his parents. I was glad for this opportunity and invite him to stay with me. The following week we were each other's company making each other meals in the Newman basement and using his meal plan on campus periodically. This provided a grace-filled transition to lesser amounts of the good community (which the Newman center provided), for now, but also the summer months.
Another way I have been blessed is with my job. I was hesitant toward another low-income job just stocking shelves. Knowing this pandemic would come, God, provided me with an essential job. I applied for 4 jobs before I moved to Brookings. All of which I was denied. Trusting in God, I waited until I came to Brookings to apply for another. In the first week of living here, I applied to Hy-Vee and got the job in the interview, which went well. When all else has changed, my job and online classes have not. He also knew which co-workers I would work with, and that some would become great friends of mine. Before I even considered the expiration of my lease He supplied me with another living situation even closer to the Newman.
There are many other things God has blessed me with, that I leave unmentioned and exponentially more which I haven’t noticed. I praise Him for all these. Thank you, my God, for your care for those who love you. How has God been blessing you in these times?
Have a Blessed Easter!
