Gratitude comes hard to us. Mainly because we're such an entitled bunch....even in the church. We think good things, blessings, are our due. It's what life, or from a Christian perspective, God, should be giving and doing for us. When it seems like He's not, gratitude has little if any place in our lives. How blind we are.
I remember very well the first Thanksgiving after the disaster that would take my marriage and family and sidetrack my ministry. I was living on a bleak church campground, far from my family and isolated from most of those I'd call friends. Darkness was abounding everywhere around me, and knocking at the door of my heart inwardly. All I could see was what was wrong. Looking upward, to Him, was so difficult. I felt comfortless, but He would show me, as He has so often, and will faithfully continue to do, that He was with me, abounding in grace towards me.
Thanksgiving was only a few days away, and I had no idea of what I would do. I expected to be and was prepared to be alone. He had other ideas. In the area lived a pastor and his family. I'll be honest and say I'd never really known him well, and even thought him more than a little odd. He attended the small fellowship I was attending, and after the service, he approached me and asked about my plans. I told him I had none. He invited me to come and be with him and his family. I accepted, with a mixture of gratefulness and trepidation. As I said, I thought he was a bit odd and I'd no idea what to expect. What happened as I joined him, his wife and his son, was that I was with a family that loved each other deeply, and made me feel welcome. They were very gracious and I was very glad to have been invited. God had shown up in the darkness with these three flames of light. It was a small thing, but He showed me that even in the deepest pit, He is present, He is working, and I can be filled with gratitude that He is.
Thanksgiving was only a few days away, and I had no idea of what I would do. I expected to be and was prepared to be alone. He had other ideas. In the area lived a pastor and his family. I'll be honest and say I'd never really known him well, and even thought him more than a little odd. He attended the small fellowship I was attending, and after the service, he approached me and asked about my plans. I told him I had none. He invited me to come and be with him and his family. I accepted, with a mixture of gratefulness and trepidation. As I said, I thought he was a bit odd and I'd no idea what to expect. What happened as I joined him, his wife and his son, was that I was with a family that loved each other deeply, and made me feel welcome. They were very gracious and I was very glad to have been invited. God had shown up in the darkness with these three flames of light. It was a small thing, but He showed me that even in the deepest pit, He is present, He is working, and I can be filled with gratitude that He is.
What I've learned, what I know, is that in this fallen and often darkened world, He has infinite ways to "show up" with the Light that is His Son, Jesus Christ. Sometimes it's in the form of people, at other times in material, emotional, and spiritual ways. He doesn't leave us comfortless. He doesn't leave us in despair. He gives us evidence of Himself. He gives us a reason to take another step in the faith journey. He gives us His Son. Over and over again. And we can be grateful.
In your life there may be pain, loss, and sorrow. These things are real....but He is more real. And because He is more real, we can rejoice, we can praise Him, and we can be thankful. The chorus goes, "Give thanks with a grateful heart." May we do so this day, and every day. Within the darkest clouds lies His greatest Light. Look for it. Expect it. And when it comes.....be glad, and....give thanks.
Blessings,
Pastor O
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