Thanksgiving

In one of his commentaries on Romans, pastor and scholar Eugene Peterson writes about the way the Apostle Paul opens his letter. In verse 8, Paul begins, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you…”  Peterson makes the following observations:

“Paul, mature in all matters of spiritual formation, begins, as life itself begins, with gratitude for lives placed in his care. Life in itself – sheer, raw, unadorned life – is a pure gift. Spontaneous, grateful thanksgiving establishes the working conditions for all growth and development in Christ.”

Taking it a step further, the Benedictine Monk David Steindle Rast claims that gratitude can change our world…  “because if you’re grateful, you’re not fearful, and if you’re not fearful, you’re not violent. If you’re grateful, you act out of a sense of enough and not of a sense of scarcity, and you are willing to share. If you are grateful, you are enjoying the differences between people, and you are respectful to everybody…”   If you are grateful, you are aware of how precious life is, you don’t take it for granted…

On this Thanksgiving Day, may you call to mind the many, many blessings in your life.  I would even encourage you to set aside a few minutes to make a very specific list – people, events, and even things for which you are grateful. Place the date on the top, attach it to your refrigerator or desktop, and refer back to it over the year ahead.  Each time you read it, allow that gratitude to sink deep into your heart.

Let us pray:  We have set this day aside, O God, to remember your bountiful provision, your goodness, and grace. When our eyes and hearts are open, we can’t fail to notice your hand at work, your loving kindness, your presence, and love.

Today, we especially lift up people who are hungry, those who are without homes, and others who are far from loved ones. May they discover your compassion and mercy – even during difficult times and even through people they may not know well.

Out of gratitude, we return our hearts and our lives to you. Use us in the days and weeks ahead to bless others, and by so doing to bless you. Great is thy faithfulness, O God our Father. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto us! In Jesus’ name. Amen.