This past Wednesday, I was really blessed. First, I was asked to give the meditation for the 60+ Fellowship's Thanksgiving worship; but I was also blessed because I was able to speak about things I needed to hear and reflect on again and again.
In this season of Thanksgiving as we prepare to spend time with our "families of origin" or our "families of choice," we tend to focus on a specific day in which we are mindful of our many blessings. It's good to do this because it is right to spend time with loved ones and thank God for all the gifts given us; it is right to celebrate and to share the bounty of the earth and sea; it's good to express appreciation and to rejoice over the goodness of God.
But it also might be limiting—depending on our overall attitude and approach to life and to what God has done for us and continues doing for us. God calls us not only to a day of giving thanks; God calls us to a life of thanks-living.
For me, the difference between thanksgiving and thanks-living is between giving thanks on one day and living thanks always. Thanksgiving is a terminal event. Thanks-living is a way of life, always knowing that whatever the circumstance we are in, we are not alone. God is with us. Encouraging us. Strengthening us. Guiding us.
As you count your blessings tomorrow, I pray that Marble will be counted in the midst. I hope that you can count many blessings that Marble has brought into your life—not only great food—but new friends for your journey through this uncertain life we all share—but most of all a closer, deeper relationship with our God who adores each one of us. |