Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Giving Thanks

A light in my darkness cried,

fearfully I listened.

Staring at the inner voice…

I begged it to change and leave me alone-

yet haunt me it did

calling me a coward

shaming me to my own face

reminding me:

"You have been given much love

what are you doing with it?"

Slowly I walk to my prayers and light another candle…

God help me to love without measure.

photo: prayers lite in Saint Saviour Church, in Rennes. The entire wall is covered with marble prayer tiles that say, Merci. I added my prayers.

a wisdom within, the voice of our souls… wanting to break forth and be whole.

Comments

39 responses to “Giving Thanks”

  1. Jeanne

    Be the light of Christ for everyone you meet

    Reply
  2. miss*R

    you are an angel, Corey. a true angel xo

    Reply
  3. Britt-Arnhild

    Beautifully written Corey.
    Here in Norway we will celebrate All Souls Day with masses this week-end. On Saturday night in some churches, on Sunday in others.
    My mother in law died in March, the day of my mother’s birthday, so a candle will be lit for her in her homechurch.
    Praying is not my words to God, but his words to me. And I pray with Saint Birgitta: God show me the way and give me courage and strengthto walk it.
    My praying candle is lit today for the daughter of a friend in USA.

    Reply
  4. ParisBreakfasts

    you light my fire…

    Reply
  5. patpaulk

    Read a poem yesterday about stars being unselfish prayers. We all need plenty!!

    Reply
  6. Shannon

    Love without measure. Receive love without measure too.

    Reply
  7. Penny

    Merci, merci, merci!

    Reply
  8. ally bean

    The shimmer of the candlelight on the “merci” wall is perfect. I like the idea of my inner light allowing others to see thanks. This photo and your words about said are way cool.

    Reply
  9. constance

    Beutiiful post today Corey. The symbol of light and candles and the words ‘ Merci’……
    In the States they have started to put fake candles lite with electricity. It is not alive and moving to me at all. It actually depresses me.
    So glad you live in the land of living candles!!
    PS My email is not working currently

    Reply
  10. Annabelle

    Love has no boundaries.
    Annabelle =^..^= xo

    Reply
  11. Darlene

    I lost a high school friend last week unexpectedly. She was only 33 years old and had 2 small children. Since then God and I have been having a long discussion about priorities and love and cherishing life. Your words are so soothing…they seem to re-enforce what I’ve been feeling this past week.

    Reply
  12. Josephine

    I have been thinking of you the past few days, more than usual. While you are a physical stranger, you are still very much an inspiration in my life…because of your words that you put out here for all of us to absorb.
    Something called me to my rosary, a gift to me from someone who loved me when I was younger.
    And I’m wearing it around my neck, like you’re not supposed to if you’re a Catholic, but since I’m not Catholic, I think the rosary is speaking to me of love. Memories of love are love nonetheless, because love stretches beyond time.
    Thank you for being here.

    Reply
  13. Ulla

    Truly beautiful Corey – as usual! Blessings to you and yours…

    Reply
  14. Sheila

    To recognize the love we have been given and be thankful, something we all need to do.

    Reply
  15. Marie-Noëlle

    As I was working in my study, I needed a pause and sat down at the computer, the screen forming the only rays of light in the tiny room… not exactly the type of light for self-communion, I’m afraid… However, as soon as I saw your picture and as soon as I read your words, my mind was caught by another light in my heart that follows me everywhere … I happen to forget it there and your words revived it to my mind…

    Reply
  16. simple me

    Beautiful image. Beautiful words.
    May a little bright light bring peace into your heart.

    Reply
  17. Toni Mason

    I hope you pray for all of us there!

    Reply
  18. Acey

    without measure. that’s really the crux of everything, isn’t it.
    perfectly timed. thank you.

    Reply
  19. Amber

    Light a candle for me?
    This is a thought provoking post. I love the Merci about the lights… That is a question to ask, isn’t it? What do we do with all we have been given?
    You give your love away…
    🙂

    Reply
  20. Veronica TM

    Being thankful for the love that surrounds us and doing something with it, what a great reminder!

    Reply
  21. Amber

    I set this photo as my background on my laptop. I hope you don’t mind. It is most perfect for November… An dit remindes me of you!
    🙂

    Reply
  22. tut-tut

    Your photograph and words inspired me this morning.

    Reply
  23. susan

    such beautiful reflections in words and candles…

    Reply
  24. cruststation

    What a beautiful church.

    Reply
  25. Nel

    How can I measure all that I have been so graciously given? A heart that has been so abundantly blessed has no excuse but to give of that grace to others. A timely reminder…Merci. God Bless you and yours Corey. Nel xo

    Reply
  26. sophie

    ThankYOU for this
    beautiful beautiful photo
    and reminder.

    Reply
  27. herhimnbryn

    Amen.

    Reply
  28. annieelf

    A beautiful image and sentiment that could be easily reproduced on a small scale in one’s home to make a private prayer space.

    Reply
  29. Becca

    Are the words “merci” painted on stone walls behind the candles? I find that to be not only beautiful but inspirational for prayer … to always begin with thank you.

    Reply
  30. gracie

    “A light in my darkness cried”… emotive and haunting, Corey…thank you for shining your soul-light here.

    Reply
  31. blackbird

    this photo takes away my breath…

    Reply
  32. pinar

    last two times I lit candles.. were important for me.. once in Sacré Coeur.. for my mother!smemory.. and I felt her pleased presence.. just behind me.. s soon as I lit it.. the other..last year at the Xmas reunion in Saint Antoine where I felt so relieved..
    it has an appeasing effect.. as your beautiful writings.. do.. make me remember about .. important moral values..
    thanks..

    Reply
  33. Star

    This post is a gold mine of wisdom, Corey. The photo is beautiful with the tiles behind.
    I give thanks for you.

    Reply
  34. Colette

    One Christmas, in Brussels, my sister took me to a tiny little old church, and we lit a host of candles. That day, all our differences dropped away and finally we became friends.

    Reply
  35. zUzU

    Corey =^..^=
    This is truly an amazing post. The candles, the thoughts behind …
    But what struck me the deepest was the link you created to remind one of a favorite book. (and how brilliantly hidden for us to discover!)
    This was in the true spirit of what it is all about — Giving thanks.
    Amazing. Wonderful.
    I adore your posts, Corey!
    love Zu =^..^=

    Reply
  36. wilsonian

    thank you, indeed!

    Reply
  37. mary ann

    you are indeed an earth angel corey!

    Reply
  38. MARYBETH

    What if we could be like the wall, reflecting the eternal light saying -Thankyou-THankyou, to every single person and thing life brings us each moment of each day?
    Merci Merci Dearest Corey
    XO
    mb

    Reply
  39. Tessa Baker

    Hello Corey.
    What a beautifull poem.

    Reply

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