Thankful Tuesday at the pool.

I’m on vacation. Sitting by the pool at my mother in law’s home, waiting for a procession of dear friends to arrive and depart all day long. What could be more lovely than sitting in a swim suit, drinking sparkling water, letting old friends come to me?

So I’ll keep Thankful Tuesday short today.

I’m thankful because I’ve lately been reminded of a prayer of St. Patrick that used to be a part of my daily prayer routine a few years ago. You can read it here. There is a piece of this prayer that is incredibly powerful to me. It has served for a while as my favorite reminder of Christ’s promises. This morning it’s swelling in my chest.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

So, now I will wait for all these people I love and miss, those I moved away from just when our friendships were getting good, and remember that Christ is here “in hearts of all that love me.” But also in the mouths of strangers…

I’ll be thankful.