We praise you Lord for your gifts
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
“Let me not sleepwalk through life without praising you for your works of art: the birds in the sky,
the breeze in the trees, a bountiful life—even a happy death.”
(Source: Franciscan Media).
I was thinking about the many gifts God gives us. First what came to mind was an old prayer card honoring a newly ordained priest. It had an image of the edge of a lake, possibly Lake Gennesaret, (Sea of Galilea), where 12 Apostles were shown, with Jesus among them, cooking and eating a fish they had caught. The image filled me with love for His generosity and care.
- I can relate to birds in the sky. In my younger years, I often scanned the skies for migrating hawks, and other birds. In the northern States, where there were “hawk watches,” (Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania, comes to mind) thousands of migrating birds filled me with awe for His creation.
- Breeze in the trees, another important mental image: again, “up North,” there were lots of trees and often lots of wind, too. Birch trees all blow into the same direction, very symmetrical. Very ordered and controlled – beautiful.
- Life, bountiful. Generous in giving to others, perhaps. Many people in my long life were happy, joyful people: I learned something from all of them. Most of them went to the Lord before me. Thanks for the memories, Lord.
We praise you, Lord, for your gift of friendship, of love. You are the model, the teacher, and you showed us great beauty, a perfect example of that which we ought to be. Last month our dear friend Joanne1 went to Heaven. She was unique, a Franciscan who brought us much joy, Your Joy, Lord, and I thank you from my heart.
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Aug. 3, 2026
1Joanne Giordano, O.F.S., d. July 7, 2026