Now its time to spread a little Franciscan wisdom. One of our own American Franciscan saints to "be" (he's a blessed but not canonized) is Bl. Solanus Casey. A very wonderful and holy man. Father Solanus's favorite saying,
was "Thank God ahead of time!"
Of course we know its very St. Paul based too! But this is such a great and
wonderful way to pray. If you want a miracle - then Saint Paul tells us we must believe we are going to receive
one. What better way to jump start our faith than to start "Thanking God ahead of Time!"
Solanus Casey used to say with a twinkle in his eye (he was a very warm-hearted and holy man) that when we thank
God ahead of time... we put God in a tough spot....God is almost obliged to give us what we want because we've already thanked him for it!
Trusting God enough to thank Him before we get what we want is a great way to step out in faith.
It's like trusting your parents to provide good things for you - trusting that your best friend is going to help you out when you are in trouble. Thanking God is all about trust and appreciation.
I truly believe that God likes to be thanked .... and doing it ahead of time is showing our great confidence in our loving God. Anybody can thank God "after" they get what they prayed for - but it takes faith to do it "before" the answers come!
So go ahead! Spend the whole day thanking God for the wonderful job he is finding for you or for those you are praying
for. Almost immediately you will feel stronger and excited about what is going to happen. A Joyful heart is good medicine and a joyful spirit makes someone want to be around you. If you are looking for a job than you really need to have people be glad to be around you because who knows where that job opening might come from? A family member, a friend, a person you smile and help on the street?
Dedicate yourself to Thankfulness!