Thank You, Creator
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
In those rare, quiet moments, when I sit with myself and allow the memories to breathe, I can see it all both the radiant joys and the heavy burdens that have marked my journey. My life is a tapestry woven with mistakes that have bruised me and lessons that have lifted me. I think about the times my heart was shattered, the wounds that ran deeper than I knew I could bear, and yet here I am, still whole in spirit. Through every valley I walked, every test of endurance, there remains an unbreakable, undeniable truth rising within me, soft yet certain: “Thank You, Creator.”
I am often struck with awe at the grace that has held me, even in those moments when I felt unworthy of it. In the thick of my failures, with every step that faltered, every time I stumbled, I sensed a presence far beyond my human frailty. There is a love that has looked past my every misstep, a mercy that forgives, that does not keep account of my wrongs. And though I’ve lost my way at times, feeling undeserving, that love has never turned its face from me. Even in those lonely hours when I was hardest on myself, when my heart saw only my faults, that love whispered a gentle truth: I am still enough. For this, I give thanks not because I have walked perfectly, but because I am held perfectly, in spite of my flaws.
When I look back, I see the valleys I never thought I’d cross. I see the moments when regret seemed to eclipse hope, the fears that clung to me like shadows, and the nights I spent wrestling with my own spirit. But through every twist, every stumble, the Creator was there unseen but unfailing. Even in times of crushing disappointment, when I felt the weight of life, there was always a silent strength surrounding me, whispering courage when I felt none within. For that, I am grateful in ways I can’t express in words.
Gratitude does not always bloom in ease. It takes root in the dark days too, in the hours of deep questioning when the path ahead seemed hidden. Those days were gifts as well, the ones that taught me the art of surrender, the power of trust. They were reminders that even when life shook me to my core, there was something solid, unmoved beneath my feet. And even as my faith wavered, that grounding presence remained, gently drawing me closer, deeper. This unshakeable foundation this steady, patient presence I thank You, Creator, with a heart full to overflowing.
My life has been a dance of highs and lows, of victories and setbacks. I have known days when everything felt aligned, and days when all seemed to fall apart. I’ve watched dreams unravel, plans crumble, and in those moments of unmaking, I found myself at a crossroads. To sink into despair or to lift my gaze to trust that even this, somehow, was part of the path. Each time, when I thought the weight of it all would be too much, a way appeared. I felt the Creator’s gentle hand, reminding me that even in the struggle, there is purpose. And with that reminder, my heart swells with gratitude, for I know I am never truly alone.
I may not possess the wealth that this world deems valuable. My life may lack the trappings of luxury, but let me assure you, Creator, that with my faith, I know I am rich beyond measure. The world may count wealth in gold, in status, in material things, but I possess a richness that this world cannot touch. My home may be humble, my garments simple, my words soft, and yet I stand in the fullness of a wealth that no hand can take from me. For this life, for every breath, I thank You, Creator, for filling my spirit with treasures unseen, for making my heart overflow with abundance.
In a world that often overlooks me, that may measure worth in ways that fail to see the soul, I find my value in You. The standards of this world may be shallow, may place worth on things that will fade, but You see me. You see my heart, You see my struggles, and You love me still.
If I could share one truth with every heart that feels lost, with every spirit that wrestles with self-worth, it would be this: give thanks, even now. Even in your hardest season, when the world seems to withhold its kindness, reach deep within and find gratitude for the One who never turns away. Draw closer to the Creator, and let your soul be fed by the divine, as an infant is nourished from the sacred umbilical cord of the womb. This connection, this bond, it is your source, your life. It is from this depth that you can drink, that you can find a peace that the world cannot take.
Remember, too, that as we are shown mercy, we are called to extend it. To live in gratitude is to live in kindness. Treat others with the same compassion that you yearn for, with the same mercy that the Creator has shown you. Even when it feels hard, even when the world seems unfair, let your spirit be one of peace and forgiveness. For the same love that has lifted you asks that you, too, lift others. We are here to mirror the goodness that has held us.
So, even now, in every part of my life, I extend my hands, my heart, and I say, “Thank You, Creator.” For every little thing, every moment of grace, every door that has opened when I felt closed in, I thank You. For holding me when I was too weary to hold myself, for the peace You have given in my storms, for the courage You have stirred in my fears—I thank You.
Let this be a call to all who hear, a reminder that even in the midst of our mess, the Creator looks down with love and blesses us, even in the heart of our greatest test. In the face of every hardship, every trial, may we rise and say, “Thank You, Creator,” and may we live as vessels of that gratitude.
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