Word of the week:  Thanks?

This week’s word is thanks - with a question mark!  Do you feel thankful about your Thanksgiving? I’ve talked to several about their Thanksgiving experience with family.  For some there were moments of delight and joy.  For many of us, we hoped to keep our dysfunction to a manageable roar.  We hope those who carry wounds in our family won’t walk away more deeply wounded.  What happened to that Hallmark commercial Thanksgiving and Christmas I had hoped for?  Sometimes the holidays are stressful because we are getting together with family.  We are praying to keep some family members in separate rooms.  Still others carry a gaping wound of loss and grief from those missing from the table this year.  Thanks?  Really?

We pray the gospel and grace of Jesus will break through our dysfunction, and occasionally there are moments of truth and grace where Jesus shows up in unexpected, beautiful, and healing ways.  There are times we experience the presence of God’s Spirit even in grief and loss.  But often we leave disappointed with what happened with all our loved ones in the same room.  It’s just one more reminder during the season of celebrating the first advent that we long for another advent.  We long for that day when God’s new city, under new management, is our city every day.  There every day is thanksgiving in a way that makes those Hallmark commercials seem bland and lifeless.  Take heart friends; He is coming soon.  This isn’t our final stop.  This is only our temporary home.  The Prince of Peace will be at the head of the table at the coming feast.  All will be well.

In Him,

Don