A few years ago, I added a new element to my evening prayers. I now begin by thanking God for five blessings. The rule I made up is that the blessing must be something that happened that day.
For example, I only thank God for my husband if he did something particularly thoughtful that day. (Or I ran across a particularly thoughtless husband who makes me appreciate the one I’ve got!)
It’s easy to think of one or two blessings each evening. Getting to five is harder because I take so much for granted. Then a power outage makes me appreciate electricity or a storm has me savoring shelter. I review the day asking myself, “What if I didn’t have any food, much less tonight’s delicious dinner?” “What if I couldn’t afford my medication?”
I try to be specific. “Thank you for Father X” is better than “Thank you for the church.” “Thank you for Father’s homily” is better still. Best of all: “Thank you for Father’s homily reminding us that the whole parish is responsible for the baby we baptized today.”
Usually my thanksgiving leads to intercession — and sometimes penance. “Thank you for the note from my stepmother. I’m sorry I haven’t written her as frequently as I should. Winter is coming. Please ease the pain that I know cold weather brings her.” That kind of targeted intercessory prayer feels more sincere than the automatic “God blesses” I learned in childhood.
I’m a skilled “guilt grabber,” which once made evening prayers discouraging. Reviewing the day, all I saw were the ways in which I fell short of Gospel standards. Searching for five blessings, though, shifts the focus from my inadequacies to God’s abundance. Instead of brooding over my tendency to dominate conversations, I thank God that my hairdresser is such a good listener, and I pray that someone is listening to her at the end of the day.
I’m also a champion worrier. Do we have enough savings to see us through our last years? Will one of us get dementia? What happens when we can no longer drive? Counting specific blessings each day reveals how God watches over me in small and major matters. I remember that I’ve got a terrific doctor, my cleaning lady goes well beyond her job description, and Hilo’s bus system steadily improves.
I often spot blessings in the lives of those I love. Their needs are as important to me as my own. So thank you, Lord, for the social worker who found my disabled grandson a job. Thank you for the staff who responded so compassionately to my friend’s emergency room visit. Thank you for all the people praying for my son-in-law in Afghanistan.
When we pray for God’s help, we often imagine a big, dramatic, violin-backed Technicolor rescue. God’s preferred method, however, seems to be friends and friendly strangers. Searching for blessings, I’ve seen how a taxi driver, a hospital volunteer and a police officer all served as God’s representatives when I was in need. Through them, I catch a glimpse of what life would be like if we were all Good Samaritans. I resolve to respond as generously when I see someone in crisis or just momentary distress. I’ve learned that one person can make a difference.
This habit of giving thanks for blessings each night has affected the rest of my day. I find myself paying more attention to those around me. I take note of kindnesses when they occur, not several hours later. The more I look, the more I see that his love surrounds us 24 hours a day, and I thank God.
Kathleen welcomes comments. Send them to Kathleen Choi, 1706 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720, or e-mail: kathchoi@hawaii.rr.com.
