Jesus said, "O
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good..." Psalm 107:1
November is traditionally associated with thankfulness, and is it any
wonder? Beginning with All Saints' Sunday through the First Sunday of Advent, we will be reminded of our need to bless the
Lord for all those who have been a special part of our lives, as well as for our material needs which have been met.
On All Saints' Sunday, we hear the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel,
and remember those who have departed this earthly life to await the return of the Messianic Kingdom. We are also reminded
of those saints among us who remain faithful to their "calling" as Christians, to work for justice, peace, and wholeness in
a world of brokenness.
Women of the ELCA Thankoffering Sunday is November 8th, as women of the
church lead worship, and as we collect items for Food Baskets for some of our families who can use a helping hand. Later in
the month is Christ the King Sunday, and the Community Thanksgiving Service, which leads us to the First Sunday of Advent.
Though some of these days are not well known in the secular world, for
Christians, they are opportunities to reflect on our spiritual lives with thankfullness and praise.
November gives us another day for giving thanks. For many, Thanksgiving
has become identified with parades, turkey, pumpkin pie and football. A story I used to read to my preschool students was
about a turkey named Solomon (same name as the wise king in the Old Testament). Well...Solomon got wind of the Pilgrims' plan
that he, or a relative, would become the main course for that first Thanksgiving dinner. Solomon organized his familiy to
"foil" the plan, outsmarting his opponents time and again. Much to the chagrin of the Captain, the pilgrims realized that
they had met their match. There was no way they could catch a turkey for that first Thanksgiving dinner. What were they to
do? Well, when they returned to the settlement, they had a feast anyway, but instead of turkey, they had squash and just pretended
it was turkey!
Cute story, but how does this relate to our thankfulness? We could have
a lot of squash for this year's meal, but I think the point of the story is this: It isn't all the "fixings" which make for
something special, it's what is in our hearts.
Thanksgiving is about how we express to God, and others, what our real
blessings have been this year. And thay doesn't mean a 30 second "grace" to begin the meal!
For our family, it is a time for reflection, "gifts" we have received
from the saints in our lives who are no longer with us: Don's parents and brother, my dad, adopted grandparents, mentors,
special friends, etc. We also show thankfulness for the precious "gifts" of those who are still here: Katie, Mom, family,
friends, this congregation. And then, we can't forget those "gifts" that challenge us to be aware of our calling as God's
children and witnesses reminding us of God's presence in times of struggle and crisis, as well as times of joy.
Thanks be to God for all those gifts and blessings in our lives! And,
help us to use those blessings and gifts to your glory! AMEN
Shalom, see you in church.
