St. Jude Novena: Day 8

I woke up with some energy and cleaned my closet. That led me to clean my room and now I am on to the kitchen. Then art. Then yoga. I have an enormous amount of hope in me today but I don't really trust hope much...a therapist once said, "Hope is the hook..." Sometimes I think it keeps you stuck. I'm not doing a dang thing for Thanksgiving but I will be giving thanks. I need to get into nature somehow. My dogs have been neglected. I still have the hurt but I guess this is where trust and faith come in, huh? I heard some terrible news about an acquaintance yesterday who is dying...10 brain tumors...any day she will be dead leaving behind two little girls and a loving husband. This life makes no sense sometimes. I feel guilty praying for my relationship to work out but, if anything, her dying makes me want to grasp life and love even more. I pray for both.

One thing doing this novena and blog has given me is some rest, peace and time for myself...something I have not had since school started. I need that time to reflect and as winter approaches, we go within. I thank St. Jude, the Universe, my family and dear friends for being there for me during my darkest times. I only hope I've made a difference in their lives or others. One thing I know, it was never a mistake to love with an open heart.

O Holy Saint Jude, apostle of Christ, pray that we may ever imitate the Divine Master and live according to His will. May we cooperate with the grace of God and ever remain pleasing in His sight. Especially do we ask you to plead for us and obtain whatsoever is necessary for our salvation. Forget not our special petitions. (mention request) May we always be thankful to God for the blessings we have received in the past. Whatsoever we ask for the present or future, we submit to the divine will, realizing that God knows best what is good for us. We know He will respond to our prayers and petitions in one way or another. Amen.

I will strive to be more understanding of the things that do not go as expected today. I need You near me God to remind me that mistakes are made, but life goes on when I look to You for guidance. Amen.

I will reach out to others today, God, as I have been taught I ought to do May I give comfort to someone who is in need. Amen.