Giving Thanks

There's a special and unique feeling that comes with an answered prayer, and as is customary, I am publishing my thanks.

Thank you, St. Jude, for hearing me out and granting the intercession that was very much needed for the people I prayed about. It was a relief for everyone involved (especially the mom and dad, who were beside themselves with worry) that the test results were good.

I've always felt awkward when praying, wondering if I would ever share a special relationship with a saint. I was always shy about praying to St. Jude, who is known as the patron saint of hopeless cases, because I worried that whatever I might be praying about may not be hopeless enough. And in the middle of my prayer, I heard that little voice in my head that said if it seemed hopeless to me--if I was feeling despair or praying for someone who was feeling despair--then that's hopeless enough. When I gave up feeling like my prayers were insignificant, it made a big difference.

And the difference was knowing that deep down, my prayer would be answered in one way or another. Thank you, St. Jude, for showing me that, too.