From a Word from Becky, my monthly newsletter to my readers
Dear friends,
Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers! Last night, we enjoyed some seafood gumbo with my in-laws, and today, we will be having fried turkey, dressing, gravy and sides with my parents. I hope you have something special planned today to celebrate. I also know that this time of year can illuminate empty chairs at the table. Please know I am praying for all of us missing our loved ones today. Be gentle with yourself and give yourself extra grace today.
Thanksgiving Day reminds me of my grandparents on both sides of my family. Memories have flooded in all week of special times at my grandparents, celebrating Thanksgiving. On my dad’s side, there are memories of spending the day with my cousins running around outside and playing, only stopping to come in to eat. We would come in hot-faced and sweaty (It’s Louisiana, y’all!) and “circle up” around my grandparents’ island in the kitchen with dozens of family members to hold hands and bless our meal together. On my mom’s side, it was always an intimate gathering of 7. My parents, my two brothers, my grandparents, and me. Our meal together began in the same way, holding hands and thanking God for the meal and time together. These are core memories that impact how Chris and I gather today with our own children.
My grandparents, my parents, and my extended family have all modeled “the three G’s”: Gratitude, Generosity, and Generativity. I remain thankful that my family did not only model being thankful but also modeled a spirit of giving and concern for future generations. Little did I know how much being immersed in this culture that lived “the three G’s” would significantly influence my spirituality as a young adult and adult. Their model and witness fostered the path of faith I walk and share with others today.
St. Ignatius’ pathway to God encourages us to practice thanking God for our gifts every day with the daily Examen. Ignatius also invites us to offer all that we received from God back to God for God’s use through the words of his Suscipe prayer:
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will. All that I have and call my own, you have given it all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours. Do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace; that is enough for me.
My catholic faith, lived for me through the lens of Ignatian spirituality, invites me to not only count my blessings, but to be generous to God and to others with my gifts. I am inspired and challenged to not only see my gifts but give them to God for God’s use in the world. My gifts are offered in service and praise of God for the good of others in the present and the future.
One of the things that opens our hearts to gratitude, generosity and generativity is daily prayer. I encourage you to join us this Advent season for our retreat in daily life called Standing in the Promises. We offer you a daily pathway of prayer along with the accompaniment of guides and community. Our retreat begins this Sunday – the first Sunday of Advent. You can register here.
I encourage each of us today to live “the three G’s”. Be grateful. Be generous. Be generative.
Know of my prayers for you!
Peace,
Becky
Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash
Becky Eldredge
November 28, 2024