Ever keep a song on your playlist for 10 years or more? For me, this is one of those…

Did you listen to it?

Since it came out in 2000, every single time, I’m convicted by that lyric… “You are faithful, I’m forgetful.” It’s so true that I often just breeze by Christ, who is standing smack dab in the middle of my daily grind, and I miss his Presence. For me, this song calls me back to thanksgiving, every time. It’s often a song I play in the car on my way to adoration on Fridays. It’s a reminder of the wonder of adoration and the heart that calls unto to me whenever I’m there. But its a reminder to come back to Him. Daily. Over and over again. To not miss the moments that He is in. To ask him for reminders for my eyes to see that He is faithful.

I played this song again today, as I went for a walk down the country lane, as I prayed to keep Christ hidden in the center of my “to do” list for this holiday weekend. There is so much to do, and I’m already fretting I’m not getting it all done. That’s why I escaped to pray and walk and think, being mindful of what St Francis de Sales counsels. St Frank taught that a lay person ought to pray 30 minutes a day, and a busy person ought to pray an hour! (I’m trusting the logic of the saints here, big time.)

Walking back home I’m again convicted and called to make this thanksgiving weekend one in which I do not forget Him or His love for me, as I revel in the love of our crazy family reunions… yes, to see Him in their faces, every one. To even to keep a secret quiet place in my heart where His love is Present even when we are in lines of long traffic jams, or elbow deep in greasy dishes and clean up from feeding the families, or making various other small sacrifices that come when families travel far and near to be together.

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor 1:9)

There are so many things to be grateful for this year….

There are my 30 years with this man…

And this amazing threesome…

And all the treasures of this past year… including another kiddo out of college…

(and with a good job, thankfully!)

And another studying at a great university that is restoring what it means to be a transformative Catholic institution… and who is excited to go to Mass here…

And the discovery that I now have a future son-in-love… (though we had guessed it might come to pass eventually).

You’ve probably heard this, but there are some cool things have been happening in my little corner of the writing world…

And as I pray, I’m grateful to live where I live and to know the good friends that I have both here in New England and around the country. Your friendship is like a tranquil oasis that soothes my erratic heart, and helps bring me near to Him. (A shout out to all the Among Women community too!)

So if you pass me by somewhere this weekend, don’t look for the string around my finger, look for the silly grin of gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving from my house to yours!