~A Thanksgiving in the Monastery~

Each day when we get up in the morning,
do we thank God for this life, as another opportunity to renew our life in His love begins?

When we say "Lord, open my lips...", do we give thanks for the ability to converse with Him?

When we start our daily manual work, do we give thanks for His strength in us which keeps the world rotating naturally; that He considers us to be His co-worker in His work of salvation?

As we stop at midday, do we give thanks for what we have achieved so far before once again asking for His blessings for our continuation?

At meal time, do we give thanks to the Lord, by giving a smile, at least a short and small one, to the sister who served us, everything we receive or refuse whatever she offers or gives?

Similarly, do we give thanks to the Lord, for the honour of serving others, by serving them with warm love, calm patience and humble attention?

And how do we give thanks to the Lord in the evening? By giving Him a little bit more time in silence, as to hear Him saying "Thank you, for all that you have done!"

Yes, truly! Even the Lord says "Thank you" for our efforts, which is unworthy at all without His divine providence, yet He kept giving us more than what we can ask for. He does so because He is The Source of Thanksgiving.

And at the end of the day, have we tried our best to make our "thank You" an honest, pure, wholehearted and whole minded prayer?

Praise to You o Lord, Source of Thanksgiving.
In You our thanks be raised. In You we give all the love that You have grant us. Teach us o Lord to have a thankful heart and live-giving spirit which will bring us closer in unity with You.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord...

@Brownshill, 26.05.14