11-24-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 24, 2023
On this post-Turkey Day, I want to double down on my need for an attitude of gratitude. I’m not suggesting that people believe Thanksgiving is the only day for us to express gratitude. Far from it! But I wonder if we need to look at societal rituals, such as a day of gratitude, as an intense training session. I think about Lamentations 3:22–23: “Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through! They are renewed every morning. Great is your faithfulness.” Is the author of those words suggesting that God renews them every morning, or is it that we are to be about the work of renewing our capacity to see, embrace, and make real for others such blessings? Maybe it is a combination of both. God is, of course, faithful to the work every single moment of every single day, yet alongside such faithfulness, taking a moment like yesterday and recommitting ourselves to the work is essential. Now, a day of recommitment could happen on an annual holiday like yesterday, or it could occur on a Monday in August. It doesn’t necessarily matter. Yet, when the world is pausing alongside us for the purpose of naming the importance of gratitude, it sort of feels as if humanity’s energy is focused in such a way that our personal renewal and recommitment are much more likely.

Your faithful love, Lord God, has not and will not end, for it is eternal. What a gift! What a blessing! Today, I name it and express my deepest gratitude, even though I am coming to this thanksgiving one day past what the calendars suggest. Yet, I believe each day is a good day to grow my capacity for gratitude. Amen.