Dear friends in Christ at Peace and Grue,
“Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is with me, bless his holy name!”
Psalm 104:1
What can you say about giving thanks that hasn’t already been said? Not much but who cares so here goes:
God gave us starry nights and sunsets that take our breath away.
God gave us summer rainstorms and the crunch of fall leaves.
God gave us grocery store clerks that carry bags to our cars and miraculously memorize the number for every avocado and tangerine we place in our basket.
God gave us blueberry pancakes, maple syrup, and coffee-that holy bean water- that wakes our bones.
God gave us down blankets, fall scented candles, and sacred worn down slippers that slide onto weary feet.
God gave us grandmothers that slip candy into our hands and grandfathers that smell like peppermint.
God gave us toddlers that bounce up and down and smash food into their open mouths with palms flat.
God gave us nurses and doctors, who cover shots with colorful band aids and keep lollipops in their scrub pockets.
God gave us dogs that run and slide to the front door to welcome us home.
God gave us church—this imperfect clump of humanity that gathers week after week, striving to be better, striving to do good in the world.
God gave and gave, and gives and gives; and how do we respond? We say thank you. We show up in this space. We give what we can. We let it feel like a joy, not an obligation. We let it feel like a gift, not a burden. We refuse to give up on this world and believe gratitude can somehow make a difference. We are thank for a God that forever out gives, and for the opportunity to say thank you for it all.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Have a blessed thanksgiving,
Pastor Dan