On being thankful ...

For many, Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November is the “ready, set, go” to the panic that has become the holiday season. I prefer to think of Thanksgiving as a significant pause from the push and pull of life – three or four days of reflection and calm before we have to rejoin the crescendo of activity that builds until we gather on December 24 to once again sing, Silent Night. Have you ever noticed how your soul longs for quiet and contemplation and the world keeps screaming at us to run faster, jump higher and perform louder.

How do we guard our quiet times from a world that wants to push in on us and demand that we cut short our celebrations so as to not miss the pre-black Friday sales? How do we say no to the noise that would crowd in on us and demand our attention, suggesting to us that our contemplation needs to take a back seat to sporting events and parades and food? Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not a kill-joy! I love to watch football and the Macy’s Christmas Parade and eat turkey just like every other AmeriCanadian.

I’ve discovered that what helps set my perspective is that I have to have an object to my gratitude. I cannot just have a thankful attitude, but I have to give thanks to the One who has provided the abundance that I enjoy. I cannot just muse on the fact that I have more than most people in the world and that I should somehow feel satisfied in that, but rather I must humbly offer my thanks to the gracious God who provides for me and recognize that he expects me to steward my wealth with that same spirit of gratitude.     

So as we approach Thanksgiving, lets prepare for those moments of quiet when we can express our thanks to Almighty God who blesses our lives lavishly. In the midst of our abundance, lets practice contentment and push back against the noise of greed and selfishness that wails at our door. Let’s remind each other that our heavenly Father is the one who should be the object of our praise.      

I Like What I See

Recently at the breakfast table we were talking about how we are adjusting to our new life in NE Georgia. I said to Ruth, “I don’t always know what I’m looking at, but I like what I see.” Those of you who have ever lived in a culture that was not your own can appreciate my thought. Sometimes what we see and experience is just different from what is familiar to us. Now different is not bad – in fact different can be very good. That’s why I say,  “I like what I see”.

I had never experienced a chicken mull until last month. While I didn’t know what I was looking at I liked that I saw friends cooperating in a centuries old tradition, one generation teaching the next the value of their heritage.

Where I grew up there are no BBQ joints - let alone one on almost every corner – but it doesn’t take you long to discover that good smells and good food can come from a place named The Butt Hutt. I like that pulled pork and tea can result in meaningful conversation and friendship.

I’m not used to hearing young people reply with a respectful “Mame” or “Sir” but I like it when I hear it.  The respect and polite manners common in southern cultural add value and dignity to others. I’ll take it over “huh?” or “what?” any day of the week.

We have been made to feel welcome from the first time we walked through the doors of Antioch Church back in November and there has not been a Sunday that has gone by that someone has not said, “We’re really glad you’re here!”

While it’s easy to spot differences, it’s also easy to spot similarities. Each Sunday we worship together with people who love God like we do. We have been welcomed by people whose hope of eternal life is based on their faith in what Jesus has secured for them through his death and resurrection. We have become part of a family that desires to reach their county and the world beyond with the life changing power of the gospel. Ultimately this is what binds people together – their identity and their purpose.  When I look at the church I know what I’m looking at and I like what I see!