It is the season of thanksgiving – one of my favorite times of the year. I long ago discovered that once I start noticing the gifts God has given me, they seem to multiply. So I thank God for the day, and the weather, and the church, and family and friends – but find myself led into a deeper thanksgiving for life and breath and being; for the opportunity to live another day; for the comfort that is mine because I know God IS and God is good and God is faithful and God will never let me go. And as I live and learn and hear the Word I find I must even thank God for adversity, because it is in hardship that I am most inclined to turn my heart and spirit godward, sometimes in desperation.
It is deeply biblical to give thanks. Paul wrote to the Philippians: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6). To the Thessalonians he wrote: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, given thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” The book of Psalms is full of similar admonitions. We are made to give thanks!
Sunday I was overwhelmed with gratitude as I looked out at a sanctuary that was fuller than usual and wandered around through the activity center as everyone shared food and conversation. There was such joy in this place. Did you notice? Such a sense of God’s presence and power and activity in our midst…
I was especially grateful for our guest preacher, the Rev. Dr. Kelly Bender, and the insights he brought about giving: that our giving is not about the church’s need for money but about our need to give; that until our hands are open in a gesture of generosity we cannot receive the abundant generosity of God’s provision; that God loves us whether we give a little or a lot but that our giving is a measure of God’s work in us to make us more like God.
He made a point in that sermon that bears repeating: What we celebrate this week is “Thanks – GIVING.”
So GIVE thanks – with all your heart and mind and soul and spirit. Give thanks to the God whose love is abundant, whose grace is amazing, whose forgiveness is overwhelming, whose provision is unending. Give thanks.
Blessings and Peace
Pastor Deborah