I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.
Psalm 139:14-18
I work with a lot of people who have experienced trauma in their life. Now, part of living involves experiencing trauma of some degree. The pain of loss of a loved one is trauma. More significant trauma is experienced by soldiers in war, first responders, and victims of violence, to name just a few groups.
When I talk with my clients, I take a history, and I ask about family of origin, possible abuse when they were young, and significant memories that they may have found to be disturbing. Often, clients discuss some event(s) that could indeed constitute a trauma.
We are affected, indeed sometimes shaped, by traumatic events in our youth. When I discuss such things with my clients, I am always grateful for my childhood, one devoid of drama and trauma. My parents were devout Catholics who raised their family in the Church, gave us love and care, and provided for our physical and emotional needs. They were far from rich financially, but they were rich in a culture of care, love, faith, and responsibility.
As we approach the Thanksgiving season, this is one of those things to be thankful for- a loving, caring and nurturing family of origin. I am sure that not all of my readers have enjoyed the same story of love and protection that I was blessed with. But if you were, share it with your children and grandchildren.
Thank God for how he provided for you long before you were born.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving parents who guide and protect their families, Amen
Reflections of a Counselor 