"We pray for the big things, and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not so small) blessings.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I will say, rejoice; show patience and consideration to all, for the Lord is always near. Let nothing make you anxious; but with prayer, and by supplication, and with thanksgiving, let your needs be made known unto God; and the peace of the Lord, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds, in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:4-7
"Remember us, O Lord, in thy loving kindness and tender mercies, as ever they have been from old."
Psalm 25:6
For the first time post-COVID lockdown we are having all the extended family over for Thanksgiving dinner: 12 adults and 5 little ones. Most of them are working hard in modest jobs, just scraping by. There is a 20 pound turkey, and plenty of sides from the daughters. It's nice to see God's innocents running and speed-crawling around the house again.
There are times when we fall to our knees and thank God for all His blessings and tender mercies.
And there are other times when we arrogantly refuse to bend or bow, and to defer to anything but ourselves, in complacent pride. And then God brings us to our knees, to remind us of who we are, and how to be grateful for what we have been given.
Please remember to feed the least of His creatures, the birds and animals, and of course His children. What you do for the least of these, you do for Me.
Bring comfort and fellowship to the hearts of those you meet, especially those impoverished by fear and isolation, trials and afflictions, with a kind word and a smile and acts of mercy. Each of us has our burdens and troubles to carry. And it is our duty and joy and freedom to lessen the troubles of others, out of acceptance and thankfulness for His love, of those who are unworthy, like us.
I remember all of you in my thoughts and prayers, as always, my brothers and sisters in the Lord. And I give thanks for you and your goodness and your efforts to walk in His paths. And for those who have wandered off in the cold and dark.
Let us commend ourselves to His merciful forgiveness, and trust our futures to His loving kindness and tender mercy. Let us permit ourselves to be fashioned to His will, in our commitment to His gospel, not for His sake, but for ours, as He wisely commanded us.
Be kind to those who are around your table today, even those who may be 'difficult.' And pray for His mercy and enlightenment to give a more acceptable example to His children, if that difficult one is you.
Do not wait for God to show you the consequences of your sinfulness and waywardness and pride. Ask Him to show your sins to you, and for His forgiveness and mercy in thankfulness. Better now than later.
US markets will be closed tomorrow for the national Thanksgiving holiday.
They will be open on Friday, but will be closing early at 1 PM.
Need little, want less, love more. For those who abide in love abide in God, and God in them.
Have a pleasant evening.
