Gifts & Graces
We’re here for a little window. And to use that time to catch and share shards of light and laughter and grace seems to me the great story.
Brian Doyle
Since the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday occurs this week, it’s an excellent time for a gratitude list of some of the things I’ve been appreciating this month.
Podcasts. I am overwhelmed with the number of available podcasts (on virtually any topic!). My list of podcasts to listen to is now getting as out of hand as my list of books to read. I almost always turn on a podcast in the car rather than listening to music. And lately, I’ve been experimenting with listening while I’m at the gym. This year, I decided to listen to The Catechism in a Year daily podcast (because I knew there was no chance I would ever just read that document). Although I often fall a few days behind, I have listened to each episode. It’s been interesting and informative, although I’ll be glad when it’s over and I can return to less theological and less serious options.
Candles. Now that the days are shorter and it gets dark earlier, I’m rediscovering my stash of candles and using them every evening. It makes darkness at 5:00 pm a little cozier when I have a candle lit.
Fleece-Lined Leggings. I discovered some very comfy fleece-lined leggings this year and am tempted to live in these every day. They keep my legs warm when I’m just sitting at the computer and when I’m out walking the dog. It’s now an effort to get dressed in a “real” outfit when I go out. (Maybe there is a downside to such comfortable stretchy leggings after all.)
Raspberries. I am immensely grateful that I can get raspberries (at a reasonable price and every week) at the grocery store. Even in November! They taste like summer and tempt me to get in one serving of fruit with breakfast.
New Soup Recipes. I’m always looking for perfect soup recipes. Ones that are easy to make, don’t require buying odd ingredients I’ll never use up, and give me a hearty, tasty, filling meal. Between new cookbooks and websites, I have more recipes than I could possibly make. And I’m also thankful that my husband is willing to try each new attempt!
A closing prayer
Dear God, please help me pay attention to the many gifts and graces You bring to my life. Let me gratefully acknowledge the people and things that fill my days with joys that range from small comforts to immense love. And thank you, God, for being with me each day. I am humbled and inspired by how Your Spirit works through the actions of so many people.
Amen.
Falling Up After 50 
and thanks that your chosen soup recipes – combined with your good cooking skills – have to date yielded only yummy soups!
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You only say that because I don’t offer the bean-containing soups for you to taste 🙂 But I appreciate your willingness to try all the others, even if they look like something you wouldn’t choose to make or eat!
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The Graces and Gifts is my favorite! I’d put it on my list of gifts! Thoughts inspired by your words:
Podcasts — I listen to the Bible Recap and Blessed is She (you could write for this).
Candles — I see that your paranoia about candles being carcinogenic isn’t as pronounced as mine. We’ll have to discuss this and see who can sway who.
Fleece lined leggings — I have leggings in my Amazon card (Black Friday special) but I don’t think they are fleece. Will revisit. I don’t think I’ve ever worn fleece leggings??
Raspberries — Consumed by me daily. One of my favorite foods. Odd that when you and I are together, we are never having raspberries…..
Soups — Something we (Pete) doesn’t really experiment with but he does use the crock pot often. Seems to me that a thick and “hearty” (I did laugh when I read this word, thinking of Lannie) soup would be just as easy as the weekly slop he makes.
I just love this monthly post. It’s so fun!
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The fleece lining on the leggings isn’t as thick as I expected – it’s just kinda soft and warm without being bulky. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I like a purchase I was initially doubtful about. And I also smiled and thought of Lannie as I wrote the word “hearty.”
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Hi Cathy! Happy Thanksgiving!
We had mini-retreats for staff this Fall. During the last one, I was reminded of the power of thanking God daily for gifts received. Jim and I have begun the practice of sharing at bedtime gifts of the day for which we are particularly grateful. Planning to keep this healthy, helpful practice through Advent and long into the years to come.
Grateful for fleece-lined leggings, soups and, most of all, our friendship and your sharing!
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What a wonderful practice to do together at the end of the day! I’ve been using a gratitude journal (based loosely on the Ignatian Examen) that has prompts for morning and evening that include listing 3 things I’m grateful for. I can make myself take 5 minutes for this, even when I’m too tired at the end of the day to do much of anything else. And I’m also grateful for meeting you (now many years ago!) and that we’ve maintained our friendship even after our classes together ended!
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