God’s presence strengthens us and sustains us through all challenges, as Marisa Donnelly powerfully reminds us. This is Rebecca Simon’s place Finding God Every Day build on this truth, helping you to see that same grace in your ordinary times. Find out how to stay rooted in faith and let His light fill your life from now on.
Thank you for this heart.
Because of this little tissue beating inside my chest. Thank you for its strength, and its strength. Thank you for helping it hit, for every Stairmaster workout, for every scary scene in a horror movie, for every kiss, for every morning when I’m so tired, and don’t want to face the world. Thank you for giving me the physical strength—to overcome obstacles, to push myself, to never give up. I am grateful for my emotional strength—to let people in, to forgive, to share love with others. Sometimes I forget how amazing this muscle is, it brings oxygen to my body, it keeps me alive, it reminds me that even in my humanity, I am strong. And to help me love, and continue to love. So thank you.
Thank you with my hands.
Hands to touch, hold, hug, appreciate. I’m thankful for the times my parents have held my hands in theirs, the times I’ve brushed my sister’s hair, or thrown a softball, or reached a quiet spot and placed a palm on a lover’s cheek. Thank you for the ways my hands have healed, the ways my hands have learned, the ways my hands have connected with other hands, and made me see the beauty in imperfection.
Thank you for the love.
To be able to hear, to open, to give. For the ways you have shown me love and given love to the people around me. I am thankful for my family, my friends, my coworkers, strangers, lovers. Thank you for the times you have shown my heart what care is like. Thank you for teaching me how to give myself, fully, to others.
Thank you for the pain.
Thank you for all the nights my tears were mixed with bath water, the nights I didn’t think I could get over him or when I felt misunderstood. Thank you for the days when I was afraid of my future, afraid of where I would go to college, or if I would do well on a test, or if my words would mean anything. Thank you for the heartache, the hard lessons, the exhaustion and the brokenness. Because I have learned to be perfect for you.
Thank you for one night.
The nights I couldn’t sleep, watching the headlights dance in my bedroom window or the stars twinkling somewhere in the distance. Thank you for showing me how to heal and how to be alone. Thank you for building my strength, day by day, even when I feel weak. Thank you for reminding me that emptiness is temporary, and I can always be filled with your love.
Thank you for those who have gone.
At that moment their departure felt like a betrayal, and I thought you had turned your back on me. But you were showing me who was temporary, and who was going to stay. You were showing me that I cannot put my faith in sinful people, I cannot depend on them for the source of my happiness, but instead I must depend on you. And you won’t go. Thank you for never leaving, and I promise to stay by my side forever.
Thank you for the unanswered prayers.
Because this life is not about receiving what I ask for, not about basing my relationship with you on what I receive, not about the desires of being given and having my things. Because your plan is bigger than mine will ever be. And every unanswered prayer was a blessing.
Thank you for being everything I needed.
By listening when I pour out my heart, by leading me when I lose my footing, by being a source of inspiration and hope, by reminding me that I belong to you, forever. And that I am loved. Thank you for staying when the world turns its back. Thank you for reminding me that no matter how hard life gets, you will always be there. Thank you for giving your son to die for my sins.
Thank you for the forgiveness.
To forgive me, to help me learn to forgive, how forgiveness heals and saves and let’s start anew with new hope. Thank you for building my heart back to its full potential. Thank you for showing me how beautiful life can be when we let go. Thank you for opportunities, for new beginnings.
Thank you for the hope.
