Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Give Thanks

There are lots of holidays that I have issues with. I'm always so glad when Halloween is over so that I don't have to keep having the conversation with my children on why we don't dress up as evil, scary things. The commercialism of Christmas makes me nutty. If you watched any of the You Tube videos I posted, they pretty much sum up my feelings. My soap box is SO tall on that subject I don't even want to go there. Hence the You Tube links.

I really like Thanksgiving though. Believe it or not, I don't have any soap boxes in my back pocket. Thanksgiving is a time where family and friends come together for a day and sit around a table for a day of sharing. They share a meal, they share conversation, they share their joys and sometimes their pain as they reflect on the past year. They come together in love for one another.

This is just what Jesus did in his ministry. He shared meals, shared conversation, and listened to the joys and pain of the people he was with. Relational ministry: being with others and simply loving them for who they are and where they are. Our family should be our first mission field and Thanksgiving is a great time to do relational ministry. In fact, you've probably been doing it all along without even realizing that's what you have been doing.

Thanksgiving is simply a time to be together; a time to look at the past year and give thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says at we are to, "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"

We each have been given so many blessings. Some big, some small and some in which we may have to squint to see, but a blessing nonetheless. Give thanks for all that you have been given. Enjoy this season of sharing with your family and friends.

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