It is no secret that I have a passion for encouraging people to base their life on gratitude. Paul put it like this, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18a).

Let me point out that Paul didn’t say to give thanks “for” all circumstances. Obviously, we don’t give thanks for cancer or heart attacks, arthritis or blindness, Alzheimer’s or terrorist attacks. But we can give thanks “in” all circumstances because God is with us, come what may. And when we realize that and embrace that and reach out to God in faith, he will give us strength and see us through. We can count on that. And that is cause for great thanksgiving.

There is an old legend that tells about a man who came one day to the barn where Satan stores the seeds that he scatters across the earth. The man noticed that the two most abundant seeds in the barn were the seeds of bitterness and discouragement. He asked Satan about those seeds. “Oh, yes,” came the reply, “bitterness and discouragement; they are, without question, my most effective seeds. Why, these seeds will grow almost anywhere.”

Then, with a solemn look on his face, Satan said, “However, there is one place where the seeds of bitterness and discouragement will not grow.” “Oh?” said the man, “and where is that?” Satan answered, “They will not grow in a heart of gratitude.”

Let us pray: God of love, we come to you with hearts full of love, souls full of trust and minds full of thanksgiving. Your loving kindness is as far reaching as the stars, your care for us as deep as the sea. Help us to turn with childlike trust. Open our eyes to the wonders of Your Word and send us on our way with hope and courage. Watch over those traveling. Teach us that we never journey beyond your loving-care. Through the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Apostle Peter once said, “Now I truly know that God shows no partiality!” (Acts 10) Jesus had spoken to him in a dream and made it crystal clear that even the gentiles, people so utterly different than Peter – were welcome and loved by the Lord.”

In his book, “Learning to Lead,” Fred Smith writes, “Immature individuals can’t enjoy people who are different. They prefer people just like themselves. Maturity is being comfortable with diversity.”

Pastor and author Joshua Kang builds on this. In his book Deep-Rooted in Christ, he writes, “Sometimes when people think differently from us, we’re quick to say they are wrong. But being different isn’t necessarily wrong… Those who refuse to embrace others are thinking only about themselves… As we expand our hearts to embrace others, we begin to accept, understand and love their differences.”

At this time in our nation’s history, when we are so polarized on any number of issues, I pray that those of us who follow Jesus might set a better example. May we live as he lived – loving, serving and embracing even those who think, look, and act differently from ourselves.

Let us pray: Loving God, sometimes we feel like we know best and others are simply ignorant. Save us from our pride, Lord God. So often it divides us from others. Remind us that you created and love all people. We remember today that in your kingdom there are people young and old, rich and poor, democrats and republicans, people speaking every language, from every nation and race. One day, Lord, we hope to sit with them and with you at the heavenly table. We pray in the name of the One who gave his life for the sins of all. Amen.

In their book, Radical Hospitality, Father Daniel Homan and Lonni Collins Pratt tell a story about a young couple who was in a restaurant with their four-year-old son. The waitress approached the table, took the parent’s order and then turned to the boy. “I want a hot dog,” he stated. His parents barked in unison, “No hot dog!” The mother scowled at the boy, who fell silent and said, “Bring him the grilled chicken, vegetable and milk…”

For some crazy reason, the waitress ignored the parents as she looked at the boy, “What do you want on your hot dog?” The amazed child said, “Lots of ketchup… And, could you bring some milk?” “Coming up,” She said and turned away, never even looking at the stunned parents. The boy watched her depart with astonished delight and then said to his dismayed parents, “She thinks I’m real!”

The point of their story is that many people in life feel as though no one ever listens to them – children especially – but plenty of other people feel this way too. When we feel as though we are not heard, it can feel as though no one cares. We can easily feel as though we are objects to be maintained or avoided or fixed, rather than real human beings. On the other hand, when someone listens to us, we feel loved and we feel real.

May you give the people around you this gift, today.

Let us pray: Loving God, we pray for the people in our lives today, our closest family and friends, those that serve us, the nameless bag boy, the cashier, the neighbor across the street. Remind us to treat each of them with grace and respect, to meet their eyes, listen and affirm whenever possible. Give us eyes to see your presence in them. We remember today that it is in giving we receive. Amen.

Several years ago, there was a story in the news about two men living in Lincoln, Nebraska.

One of them, a man named Larry Trapp, was wheelchair bound and had been diagnosed with a fatal disease. Larry was also bound – not only by disease – but by crippling hatred. He was a Grand Dragon in the Nebraska Ku Klux Klan, and most recently been directing his hatred toward a Jewish cantor named Michael Weisser. Larry harassed Michael with threatening phone calls and a slew of hate mail – ultimately trying to get him out of the community. Michael decided to confront his tormentor, and with great courage, he picked up the phone and called Larry.

“I just kept leaving messages on his answering machine,” says Michael, “until finally one day, Larry Trapp, in a fit of anger, picked up the phone.” ‘What do you want?’ he said. ‘You’re harassing me! My phone’s got a tap on it.’”

“I was really quiet and calm” says Michael. “I said I knew he had a hard time getting around and thought he might need a ride to the grocery store. Trapp got completely quiet, and all the anger went out of his voice. He replied, “I’ve got that taken care of, but thanks for asking.”

The powerful end of the story is that the two men eventually became friends. Mr. Weisser and his wife, would have Larry, former Grand Dragon in the KKK, over for dinner. Amazing! Eventually, Larry decided to devote the time he had left to freeing others from the destructive power of hatred and bigotry.

What a beautiful story. When we respond with love to hatred, love always wins.

Let us pray: Gracious God, we thank you for Michael Weisser’s courage and for his example to us. With so much anger and hatred in the world around us, help us to be instruments of your grace and love. And by doing so, may we dispel darkness and change hearts. We pray today in the name of the One who came as the Light of the World. Amen.

There’s a story about a young dating couple who went camping together one cold fall night. When they went to bed that night, she was sleeping on a cot and he was on the floor in a sleeping bag. Just after they turn out the lantern, the girlfriend leans over and says, “Honey, it sure is cold in here.” The young man gets up in the freezing cold, runs out to the car and gets her an extra blanket. Just as soon as he gets back in his sleeping bag, the girl leans over and says, “I’m sorry, I’m still cold.” So, the guy gets up in the freezing cold once again and runs back out to the car. He grabs another blanket, throws it on her, and jumps back under his covers. Once again for a third time, the girl whispers, “I just can’t get warm, honey.” So, the young man leans over and asks, “Hey, do you want to pretend like we’re married? Just tonight. We’re way out here in the middle of nowhere and no one will ever know.” The girl thinks about it, then says, “Sure, just tonight.” So, the boy responds, “Okay then, get up and get your dang blanket!”

Isn’t that the way it is sometimes? We get so familiar with each other, with people we love, that we take them for granted. And we forget…. We forget how important they are to us. We forget they may not be with us forever.

Today, I pray that you would treat those closest to you with the up most love and respect. Tell them how you feel. Show them, with your actions how much they really mean to you. Remember: Life is short, and there are no guarantees.

Let us pray: O God of Hope, we thank you for the people in our lives who are closest to us – perhaps a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend. What a gift you have given us! Today we pray especially for them, and we lift them up to your care. Help us to cherish them, and to see your love in them. May we never take them for granted, but instead may we appreciate each moment with them – even the difficult moments. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.