Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving

Here I am, sitting in my daughters home, feeling both blessed and melancholy. Blessed because of the abundant gracious gifts from the hands of the Father. Family, friends, faith community, food :), festivities, etc., the list seems endless as I "count my many blessings, name them one by one" (that should take some of us back a few years to 'song services' of yesteryear). I recognize that through no merit of my own, my God has supplied all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I am also melancholy. This week has been difficult for many of our friends and loved ones. Pastor Matson from Luzerne passed away this week as did Pastor Cindy from CLC, Bensalem and Pastor Dwan lost his brother. I have been praying for many fighting cancer and other ailments that are life challenges. I am also feeling the loss of my mother who went to be with the Lord over ten years ago. I find that from time to time, my sadness at her loss returns. Of course, I would not want to bring her back from her heavenly reward, but I still miss her.

Times of celebration, like Thanksgiving, are opportunities to rejoice, but they also are reminders of the struggle we face as well as the victories received. So often, we highlight the victories and neglect to reference the battles. I am reminded of the verse from the Psalms which states, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all."

This year, the turkey was delicious, but the greatest is in knowing that God is faithful in the good times and in the bad. I am thankful that the Lord will be that friend that will never leave or forsake me, and you.