A Thanksgiving Reflection: Counting Our Blessings
By: Pa Zong Lee
As Thanksgiving approaches, our hearts are naturally drawn into a season of gratitude. Amid the busyness of preparing meals, welcoming family, and making space for celebration, we are invited to pause and recognize the countless ways God’s grace is at work in our lives.
Thanksgiving is far more than a date on a calendar. It is a spiritual practice, a way of seeing the world with renewed clarity and deeper appreciation. When we count our blessings, we begin to notice the fingerprints of God in places we may have overlooked in the quiet moments, the unexpected kindnesses, the people who walk with us, and even in the challenges that have shaped our faith.
As a parish family, we are especially blessed. Week after week, God gathers us as one community, calling us to worship, to serve, and to uplift one another. We witness God’s love in the smiles of our children, in the generosity of volunteers, in the prayers whispered on behalf of the sick and the struggling, and in the simple but sacred act of sharing life together. These are blessings worth naming and cherishing.
This Thanksgiving, I encourage each of us to take some intentional time to reflect:
What blessings has God placed in your life this year?
Where have you experienced God’s guidance, comfort, or surprising joy?
Who has been a gift to you — offering support, friendship, or encouragement?
When we count our blessings, gratitude begins to reshape our hearts. It grounds us. It reminds us that even in seasons of uncertainty or difficulty, God’s faithfulness remains steady and true. Gratitude also becomes a source of strength, helping us recognize that we are never alone we are held in God’s love and surrounded by a community that cares deeply.
As you gather around tables this Thanksgiving, may your conversations be rich with stories of God’s goodness. May your homes be filled with peace, warmth, and laughter. And may your hearts overflow with the deep, abiding joy that comes from recognizing how truly blessed we are.
From our parish family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving. May God continue to bless you abundantly today and always.