A Powerful Two-Word Prayer
“If the only prayer you ever say is, ‘Thank you,’ it will be enough.” – Meister Eckhart
I have often read this quote, but seldom reflected on its meaning. Think about it … if the only prayer we say is, “Thank you,” those two words are powerful and beautiful. They are extremely important to offer to others and to God. It should automatically come out of our hearts and mouths. People can be easily hurt when we treat them like we expect them to wait on us. God created us all equal, so we all should be grateful for whatever others do for us. If we say “please,” that “thank you” should escape from our lips just as quickly. St. Francis knew this as he sang The Canticle of Creatures. It was a humble and heartfelt “Thank you!” to God for everything! He understood what gratitude meant not just to us humans, but to our God!
Try taking time one day—or even one week—to see how often you hear the words “thank you” come out of not only others’ mouths, but your own as well. Usually a smile accompanies the “thank you.” Think about making God smile when we are grateful to him. St. Francis knew what a blessing all of creation was to us. Thank you, God, and God’s people!
During November let us pay attention to these three words: thankful, grateful, and blessed. We do this so that by December they will be part of our everyday vocabulary and prayer. By the way, “God bless you” is the spiritual way of thanking someone, so that counts as a “thank you.”
Water is beautiful as well as powerful. A tsunami, for instance, is fascinating but destructive and deadly. Those who go to the shore to witness it are unlikely to survive. It stirs up from the depths creatures never seen before. In 2011 pieces of boats and buildings from Japan found their way to the California coast 5, 500 miles away. Some debris did not arrive until 2013 and 2014! There are times in our lives that can feel like a tsunami— disorienting and frightening. Old wounds are stirred up or new ones are inflicted. We may feel vulnerable or weak in presence of powerful forces and may watch helplessly as people, possessions, or ways of life are taken from us. We may feel like we are drowning! Yet the ocean can also remind us of God’s deep and powerful love for us. Storms come but calm returns. We hold on and pray. The ocean and its beauty can be serene and inspirational. Poems, songs, and paintings have been inspired by the ocean. Think about the beauty of a sunrise or sunset over the water. It can be breathtaking and mesmerizing! Can’t you imagine all the beautiful yellows, reds, pinks, blues, and oranges across the sky, reflecting on the water? Another wonderous gift of God’s creation! In the “Canticle of the Creatures” by St. Francis, he even praises this gift. “Praise be you, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.” On top of all that, we cannot live without water since most of our body is made up of water. Most of us carry a water bottle around with us. It is a good reminder of our loving God whenever you see, drink, or use water—especially when the going gets rough! Remember that drop of water is a hug from God filled with strength and love for us. Remember, St. Paul said, “I can do all things through God who strengthens me.” So, go ahead and reach for that water bottle when you need God’s strength and love. Be refreshed and let calm return!