What happens when you want to be thankful but can't find a single "extraordinary" thing to say? I discovered that when my own inspiration ran dry, God was ready to hand me the very blessings I was overlooking.
Preparing a Room for Jesus
In the Philippines, Christmas is a huge celebration. As I mentioned in my previous blog post, "A Rare Surprise: A coincidence or a God-Incidence."
The festivities begin on September 1st, which showcases our love for Christmas. We also have a beautiful tradition of attending nine masses leading up to Christmas Eve. This is a centuries-long, beloved tradition and is here to stay.
In the United States, where there is a significant population of Filipino parishioners, it is likely that Simbang Gabi Masses are held, especially when there are Filipino staff members at the parish.
In the parishes we belonged—past and present—we have been fortunate to have these Masses . At this parish we are currently registered, it's been the seventh year that we've been having these Simbang Gabi Masses, also known as the Christmas Novena Masses.
Our parish holds Masses at 7 PM instead of the customary 4 or 5 AM schedule in the Philippines. This is to accommodate the parishioners who would otherwise miss attending Mass if it were held in the early morning hours.
14-Day Gratitude Challenge Framework
I am grateful to God for allowing our family to attend the Mass together for all the nine Masses, except for our younger son, who could only join us during the semestral break.
It is of great importance for me to instill in my sons the value of attending the Mass regularly. It's an essential part of life that should not be compromised.
So, here's the sharing...
I took part in the 14-day Gratitude Challenge on Facebook. The challenge required me to post things for which I am thankful. I could either use photos, reels, or live/recorded videos to do it. To make my posts more interesting, I utilized all three options to add variety to my post content.
A Simple Daily Practice of Thankfulness
I thought it was a fantastic idea! It is important to be mindful of the many things around us and express gratitude to God for them.
There are numerous things to be thankful for that go beyond the everyday blessings which we tend to overlook or take for granted. These may include the simple ability to breathe, access to clean water, having food on our table, and many other small things that we may easily miss.
Additionally, the conveniences we enjoy, which are scarce in many places, shouldn’t be overlooked.
And let's not forget the small things that make a big difference in our daily lives, or the things that increase our comfort level or restoring us to comfort.
For instance, having a glass of water when we're thirsty, a chair to sit on when our feet are tired from a long walk, or a shaded area to rest when caught in the rain— are all things we should appreciate.
We should even be thankful for the simple act of crossing the street safely. These little things may seem insignificant, but they add up and make a significant impact on our overall wellbeing in regards to our spirituality.
This was one of the ideas behind the 14-day Gratitude Challenge back in December. Hence, I didn't hesitate to accept the challenge. And why is that?
I have developed a habit of expressing gratitude even for the ordinary events. I have been doing this since my elementary years, so it has become a part of me growing up.
And, knowing that all I have to do is make a conscious effort to be more attentive to the inspirations that God sends my way—I will always have something to share during the challenge.
Well, to my surprise, honestly, there were days during the challenge when, no matter how hard I searched for something to share, I couldn't come up with anything. Dear me!
Also, I joined the challenge to inspire anyone who'd stumble upon my daily posts on my Facebook page— spread cheer in every way possible, and in ways that I can. Until one day came and I hadn't yet posted anything...
As the Mass started, I asked God, “Lord, I have nothing to share today… What do I post? What do You want me to share?”
God Orchestrates the Details
Well, God proved that the day wasn't over yet.
Right before the offertory, one of the Mass organizers approached us with roses to bring to the altar to honor St. Jude whom we were honoring that night.
Imagine my amazement! That was it—that was God’s answer!
I whispered to my husband what my concern was before the Mass started, and so I gave him the look of "See, God heard my prayer!" with a smile all the way to my ears.
Of course, that was my entry into the challenge day.
God’s Generosity Can’t Be Outdone
But here’s one more thing worth noting—God did it twice for me during the entire time of the Novena Masseswhere He planned Himself what I'd share in the challenge.
You see, it’s customary for the parishes in our diocese to hold the community penance service at 7 PM, whether during Lent or Advent.
As the Simbang Gabi Masses were celebrated at 7:30 PM, the Mass was moved to the Parish Hall to accommodate more parishioners for the community penance service. It had to be in the church, as it had always been.
On the night of the penance service, I felt uneasy because I wanted us to also attend the Advent penance service, and so that's what we did.
We participated in the prayers but deep inside I knew we won't be able to get to Christmas Novena Mass. They were so many wanting to make their confession.
As we can't be in two different locations at the same time, I asked the deacon which is more important between the penance service and the Mass.
The deacon, aware that we are Filipinos and that these Masses are significant to us—He advised us to attend the Mass, and told us that we could still go to the regularly scheduled weekly confessions, in case the penance service would be over by the time the Mass had ended.
Well and good! However, for some reason, my heart still felt heavy as we headed out to the Parish Hall. Our family has a tradition of participating in the community penance service, as it only takes place just twice a year.
I love the feeling it evokes within me. I've always seen it something truly precious, knowing multiple priests officiate the penance service—as many as seven or even eight priests coming from other parishes.
Alright, so when the Mass ended, my gaze caught the deacon outside, right by the exit door. I walked up to him and asked if the penance service was still going. I broke into joy when he replied, “Yes, it is. You can still go!”
Oh, you should've seen us marched to the church like soldiers on a mission. I got in first and was relieved to see just a few parishioners waiting in line. One priest was by the altar, and although someone was confessing, no one else was in line. I signaled to my family to follow me.
In our amazement, we were able to attend not only the Simbang Gabi Mass but also the penance service! A special night, indeed!
And considering we had our confession right by the altar? It sure was twice delightful! God knew it was important to me. And yes, He waited right there by the altar, even. That was a heavenly accommodation.
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this sharing. If you feel inspired, you’re welcome to begin this challenge today—or adapt it in a way that suits your own rhythm.
And remember, wherever you are in the world reading this, thank you for being part of this journey. I’d love to connect with you more personally on Facebook.
Many Blessings, Emilie
A Note from my Heart
I’m Emilie, a seeker of faith who finds God in the quiet pews and the divine surprises of everyday life. I write these reflections to invite you into a slower, more soulful way of seeing the world.