Giving thanks for those who have guided our spirits and vocations

by Sue Torgersen, CSJ

The month of November, from its beginning until its conclusion, is filled with built in reminders from God that our purpose is simply to be grateful for all that we have and all that we are. The harvest season’s closure is a reminder that our needs on so many levels are more than amply met.

November begins with All Saints’ Day. Now if you were to write a book entitled The Lives of the Saints, who are the saints from your own life that should be included? Think of those who have been there for you with a special love, care, and concern. Did your life begin with parents who are saints? We probably don’t remember back into babyhood, but hopefully our cries in the night brought a loving and tender parental response to our needs. We were hardly conscious of who we were when we may have learned one of our first lessons about prayer.

Those who have nurtured our spirits along the way are the ones who have recognized and acknowledged our goodness, worth, and potential. In my own life I recall teachers who were respectful of the dignity of each student. There have been employers along the way who had the magnanimity to be concerned that in my work for them that I would also have the preparation and experience that would help me attain future possibilities. I have been blessed with family and community members and friends who simply love, enjoy, and accept me for the person I am. When I need to talk, they are willing to listen. These are the kinds of people I gratefully include as I compose my version of The Lives of the Saints.

I hope that when you celebrate Thanksgiving Day at the end of November, you will have spent some enjoyable time with God just talking about the rich network of relationships that makes up the fabric of your life. Who teaches you how to love? Who listens when you are hurting? Who thinks enough of you to stand by you and help you realize your potential? Who are those faithful people who are truly the presence of God in your life?

What we have received, we are also to give. Unbeknownst to you, your story is probably already being recalled in someone else’s version of The Lives of the Saints. In fact it’s your vocation to show up in such books. After all you carry in your heart a longing for the best in the lives of your loved ones. It is your call to help bring out the best in them. Do you take the time to listen? Do you affirm, encourage and support those you care about whenever you can? Do you stretch yourself so that you can see their potential? Do you invite the ones you care about to also stretch themselves through your invitation to consider what they might otherwise think lies beyond their reach? You are called to be a spiritual hero in the lives of those around you.

Let us ask God in this special month of giving thanks to remind us to be grateful for the people in our lives with whom he has blessed us. May we also be blessed with gratitude for our own vocation to draw upon our own gifts of thoughtfulness and graciousness to remind others of their goodness and thus to lead them closer to God.

Sr. Sue Torgersen is the Associate Director of Vocations for the Diocese of New Ulm.