Over the past year, many of us have felt the repercussions of the pandemic. For some of us it was losing a job, a family member or friend, or even our normal everyday living style. This in itself has reminded us that we cannot take things for granted. God challenges us to continually seek Him and to find Him not just in the big, but also in the smallest of blessings in life. 

During this pandemic, I realized just how incredible it is to encounter people and to recognize these moments as blessings from the Lord above. The Father’s love is shared when we are in right relationship with others. When this happens grace and joy flow from the Father into the world through us and when we encounter we implore the mercy and love of God to our brothers and sisters. Since January, I have made a great effort to thank God for the small things in life, but also the people whom I encounter day in and day out. Every day for the last six months, I have written a letter of gratitude to a family, friend, or even an acquaintance thanking them for their witness to the Gospel and how they have impacted my life through the encounters we have shared together. This exercise is a way to pray; for it first connects us with God, Our Father, thanking Him for these amazing live’s, and second, it allows us to pray for these people and their intentions that they may have in the silence of their hearts. 

So I encourage you to do the same. Call, text, email, or even hand write a letter to someone thanking them for their witness to the Gospel and keeping them in prayer. This allows us to share the love and mercy of God to our fellow brothers or sisters with whom we walk with here on earth. My dear brothers and sisters, I pray that you and I may be able to recognize God in the smallest of things and in all people, so that we might not overlook His greatness. Amen.