Today is the Feast of St. Jude Thaddeus, one of the twelve apostles. When I was growing up, he was our families patron saint. Every time we sat down to dinner we recited the Prayer of St. Jude. When we would complain about how long it took to say dinner prayers, my Dad would say "St. Jude is the patron saint of families and lost causes. If you don't quit complaining, you will be the latter."
...and so it went...
"Oh glorious apostle St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered thy beloved Master into the hands of His enemies has caused thee to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes thee universally as the patron of hopeless cases--of things despaired of. Pray for me who am so miserable; make use, I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded thee of bringing visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need, that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly (mention your request), and that I may bless God with thee and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise thee, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor thee as my special and powerful patron, and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to thee. Amen"
...every single meal...
We also happened to attend the Shrine of Saint Jude parish and all eight of us graduated from the parish school. You could say that Saint Jude has played an important role in my life. It's funny how over time I came to appreciate this practice when I had my own family. No, we do not say the long prayer but we do invoke his aid every single day 'cause baby we need him.
So I chose this day six years ago to launch this space. Today marks this Passionate Perseverance's sixth birthday!! Happy Blogversary!! I can't believe it's been six years since I introduced Miss Courtney to the world here in this space. So much has happened over these six years. So much.
For instance, I use commas more than I ever have in my life. I still spell phonetically BUT spellcheck catches most of my horrid errors. I stopped putting on a happy face long ago and now share fully and freely, the good, the bad and the ugly. Sometimes I even share the really, really ugly. I have lost weight, gained weight and am now losing weight once more. This time I am determined it will NOT come back. We have faced the gates of heaven and hell with Miss Courtney, time and time again and God has granted us a reprieve over and over again. We have faced financial struggles and spiritual ones and you have walked with us through it all.
It has been a privilege and an honor to share our life with so many. You are the best readers a girl could ask for. You always pray when I need you to, you send encouragement through the inter-webs ALL the time and even when I mess up, you still come back, day after day to say hello and cheer on both me and my Courtney.
I am blessed beyond measure to have you all in my life...thank you so much for meeting us here day after day and walking this journey with us.
Today I am thankful for:
#1803 - #1814
** you beautiful people who loves us through the internet
** everyone who has ever taken the time to leave a comment, your words are so sweet
** my hubby who let's me run away to the local coffee shop from time to time to write for this space
** my critique partners Sharon, Danielle and Karen who helped me become a "real" writer, who occasionally uses commas.
** Grace, Hallie, Ginny, Anne, Tonia, Kellie and Elizabeth who inspire me every single day to just be me and speak the truth with love...and sometimes a little snark.
** for every prayer spoken on behalf of my Courtney by you beautiful people
** the Holy Spirit who sometimes whispers and sometimes shouts in my ear to write His words
** my Mom and Dad, who loved me and always said I could write, even if i couldn't spell
** for life
** for love
** for faith
** for hope, always hopeLabels: #1000 Gifts, 31 Days of Gratitude, catholic family life, Feast Days, special need parenting
