Turning ThanksGIVING into ThanksLIVING

My dad's favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. When I asked why he told me, "It's all about family and food." And that it is. It's also typical to be asked the question, "What are you thankful for?" Most of us are smart enough to begin with our families and friends and then we end up with a list of stuff for which we are grateful.

While there is nothing wrong with such a gathering and list, I am challenging you to go beyond the usual and recapture what the first Thanksgiving was all about. Yes, family, friends and neighbors gathered to share a meal together and give thanks, but their thanks was focused on God's goodness. If you read the words of President Lincoln as he proclaimed this holiday, it was all about pausing to praise God for being God.

On this Thanksgiving I am thankful for God's inclusive love, for grace and mercy, for forgiveness again and again, for making a way when there seems to be no way, for the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me, for the sacrificial gift of Jesus who gave his life so that we might have life and have it abundantly. For air to breathe, daily bread, provision, protection, discipline, easy days and hard days, for laughter and everlasting love, and so much more, I am thankful. And not just on the one day of the year we call ThanksGIVING....but every day of the year which is called ThanksLIVING.

What do you appreciate about God? Send me your list, bring it to me at church this Sunday, or fill out a card and give it to me before the service begins. Let's shower God with gratitude not only this Sunday...but every day of our lives.

Rev Sandy, Pastor