Wednesday, October 5

It is Thanksgiving.

The Creator paints the landscape with reds, yellows, oranges.

Even though the birdsong of summer is silenced

            the human spirit crackles and snaps like logs on a fire,

            embering to tame the frosty air of the brisk, evening air.

The One who has given life both blossom and now harvest,

            folds the changing scenery under a sacred embrace.

As manna drips from the work our hands have made,

            we wonder whether we will be able to ever store enough, have enough,

feeding us and those who can barely feed themselves.

The provisions of God are a mysterious counter-point to our greed, appetites,

and covetousness.

There will be wintry times for laments, confessions, complaints and protests.

We let go of what was, celebrating now the bounty and the grace

            which stores up the love of our God

            for when winter challenges the heart and soul.

It is Thanksgiving.

A time to pause and reflect...

A time to remember and revel in the memory…

A time to enjoy and relish...

A time to feast and appreciate God’s sacred plenteousness…

So we abide and thrive by the bounty of God’s grace.

So we flourish by the nurture of God’s love.

So we grow by the plenty of God’s hope.

Then we live fully, and fully live, replenished by faith.

It’s Thanksgiving.

Give thanks, today. Give thanks.

Let your hearts be a cornucopia of fruitful praise and acclamation.

Let the sweet juices of God’s unbounded, unceasing, unconditional love

            dribble from your unfettered lips with joy and celebration.

Let my heart and my soul give thanks!

Dale