Taj Mahal Hotel under attack and in flames
Part of my Thanksgiving I spent watching the reports coming in from Mumbai, India. One of our pastors, Jeff Cox, has a friend who is still hiding out with others in a closet in one of the hotels under siege. The news is most disturbing. In another part of India Christians are under siege. For months now militant Hindus have been burning churches, beating, raping and killing Christians. This has not received much attention in the world press. In Africa, people continue to be killed in places like the Congo and Sudan. Monday, a troubled young man who attended our church took his life. Yesterday, a dear saint who has been part of our church family for many years passed away in the arms of one of her sons.
The above reality check is a reminder to me that Thanksgiving is more than turkey dinners and family get-togethers. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t sit around today feeling sad or guilty that others were suffering and I wasn’t. I’ve had my share of suffering, too, as I am sure you have. No, these hard realities simply reminded me to be terribly thankful for things big and small.
In church we learn how to express thanksgiving to God for things like forgiveness of sin, eternal life, the scriptures along with purpose and meaning – big things all. That doesn’t seem too hard for me to do. What is more difficult is to be constantly aware and thankful of every breath, every day I have to be with friends and family, the beauty of the sunrise and sunset, and another year to see the Plaza lights. I am thankful for the warmth that the Christmas tree added to our home as we put it up this evening. I am thankful I saw my grandchildren smile today and that I could share some laughter with them. I need to remember to be just as thankful tomorrow for the innumerable pieces of life, big and small.
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. Psalm 69:30-32
What little things are you thankful for today?
Thanksgiving Thoughts
Taj Mahal Hotel under attack and in flames
Part of my Thanksgiving I spent watching the reports coming in from Mumbai, India. One of our pastors, Jeff Cox, has a friend who is still hiding out with others in a closet in one of the hotels under siege. The news is most disturbing. In another part of India Christians are under siege. For months now militant Hindus have been burning churches, beating, raping and killing Christians. This has not received much attention in the world press. In Africa, people continue to be killed in places like the Congo and Sudan. Monday, a troubled young man who attended our church took his life. Yesterday, a dear saint who has been part of our church family for many years passed away in the arms of one of her sons.
The above reality check is a reminder to me that Thanksgiving is more than turkey dinners and family get-togethers. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t sit around today feeling sad or guilty that others were suffering and I wasn’t. I’ve had my share of suffering, too, as I am sure you have. No, these hard realities simply reminded me to be terribly thankful for things big and small.
In church we learn how to express thanksgiving to God for things like forgiveness of sin, eternal life, the scriptures along with purpose and meaning – big things all. That doesn’t seem too hard for me to do. What is more difficult is to be constantly aware and thankful of every breath, every day I have to be with friends and family, the beauty of the sunrise and sunset, and another year to see the Plaza lights. I am thankful for the warmth that the Christmas tree added to our home as we put it up this evening. I am thankful I saw my grandchildren smile today and that I could share some laughter with them. I need to remember to be just as thankful tomorrow for the innumerable pieces of life, big and small.
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. Psalm 69:30-32
What little things are you thankful for today?