Beloved Father, how can our hearts become gardens of gratitude from which the joy we find in You can flow to all people? What a light this could be, when so many today do not know true joy and seek their happiness in the transitory things of life. This would also be a powerful weapon against the forces that seek to darken our lives. We would take the weapons out of their hands with which they so gladly plague people. They will find it difficult to prevail against a grateful heart in which Your joy dwells.
It should not be so difficult to attain such a heart, for then it beats in accordance with the truth of our existence. We really only need to awaken to this truth, for the very reason for our existence is Your love. We must penetrate to the deepest reason: I am here because You wanted me to be! “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you…” (Jeremiah 1:5). Though these words were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah, they apply to each one of us. We are destined for eternal life, where perfect joy is at home.
Then we will understand that we are still on our way to this goal. But through faith, this life already begins within us, and gratitude for being called to this goal will give us the strength to walk the path toward it. Once we recognize this—and we can ask for help if it is difficult—we will see Your care in guiding us toward this goal every day. Then all of Your guidance and permissions will be expressions of Your wise prudence in leading Your beloved souls safely home. And we thank You day after day, and our lives become bright. And this gratitude will never cease!