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Gratitude

State of Gratitude

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read539 views

Today was the annual Christmas Program performed by Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade classes. Unfortunately, the bad weather didn’t allow us to take our Kindergartener to the show since it has been cold, cloudy with high winds all last week and it rained all day today. As much as we would have loved to go, we know that it’s not the time for anyone to get sick. I would rather have my loves safe with me at home. At this point in time, we are mostly grateful for the gift of togetherness, for Life and good Health.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." ― Melody Beattie
Gratitude Unlocks the Fullness of Life.

Our day ended peacefully and beautifully with laughter and praises. Like every other night, as I kissed my Children goodnight, I was reminded of Life’s fragility (how any moment and every breath could be our last). My heart still aches as I think of those who can no longer kiss their loved ones goodnight. My continued prayers and well wished go out to all the innocent victims in the World as well as to the families of the offenders.

The pain and sorrow we witness around the World is overwhelming. Here, at home, we pray more, we love more and we laugh more. I hug my children a little bit tighter, I spend a lot more time with them, I worry less and enjoy more. We ceaselessly remind each other how much we love them because without advance notice, life can end abruptly. Our bond is stronger and more special than before.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

Happy Thanksgiving

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read2K views

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice.”  – Meister Eckhart

“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.” – Abraham Lincoln

While we are thankful for:

  • Our lives
  • Family and Friends
  • Love and Blessings
  • Joyful hearts and good health
  • Staying true to ourselves
  • Peace of mind and living in a War free country
  • Mistakes and Failures (“My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes and my talents and I lay them both at His feet.”  – Mahatma Gandhi)
  • Pain and Sorrow (“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.” – Isaiah 61:3 (NLT))
  • God’s Unfailing Love

We are constantly reminded that they are people out there who have little to nothing and who fight just to exist. Our prayers are with them, always.

 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18