My Eucharistic Prayer Part I

After communion, I go back to my seat and I say a little prayer of thanksgiving. It's something that has evolved over the years. It's something personalized to me but I thought I would share it. It is simply:

Thank-you, Lord for everything you have given me. I realize that every heartbeat, every breath, is a gift from you. Help me to do the best with the gifts that you have given to me so that I will lead my life the way that you want me to.

Thank you with my super beautiful, smoking hot wife. Help me to be a good husband to her. Help me to be always faithful and always loving.

Thank you for my three wonderful kids. Please keep them health. Help me to be a good Father and roll model and to lead them to heaven. (sometime I add it, "help me to make it out of mass before I smack any of them upside the head.)

Thank you for my friends. Help me to be a good friend in return. Help me to be like the friends of the paralytic who carried their friend to Jesus.

Thank you for a job that I truly do love. Help keep my people safe and keep all people safe. Help my people to be in the right place at the right time to help people and help them to catch the bad guy.

But thank you the most for sending your son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross for our transgressions so that we can have everlasting life.

The first half seems pretty simple. Basically, I know that everything in my life is a gift from God. Everything in my life has been given to me and can easily be taken away from me. Every time my heart beats or my lungs take a breath is because he allows it to happen and I owe Him my eternal gratitude. I only hope that I complete in my life all of the goals that he wants me to complete. I'm not sure what they are but I hope I make Him happy.

My wife, Abby---whoa momma--what my life would be without her. That thought scares me. She is such a blessing. Everything is my life makes sense because of her. I only hope that I make her half as happy as she makes me.

Finally, my kids---they truly are a gift from God. It's impossible to explain the love you feel towards your own children until you have your own. Watching them grow and mature is just an incredible joy. My oldest is starting out as a freshman in high school and about to try to go get her driver's permit. My son is very special to put it simply but in the end it doesn't matter because he is "my boy." My youngest is a girly girl and one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. I hope that I raise them to be pleasing to God and that they will always know how much I love them.

That's the first half. Like I said, it's a simple prayer and more to follow soon.