A THANKSGIVING NOTE

It is Friday afternoon after Thanksgiving.  The family is relaxed, loving our time together and enjoying a mild Arizona day.  There are twelve of us, including six grandchildren that I adore.  Family! What a great idea.

Tomorrow we head back into our post Thanksgiving journey home but we will be filled with memories and stories and laughter.  For our family the journey of Advent begins on Sunday and we will make our way to Bethlehem's manger and, by faith, we will look into the face of Jesus and refresh our imaginations, imaginations rooted in the outrageous grace of God. 

We will journey with another family, too; the church to which we belong.  Together we will walk the Advent journey as we seek to draw near to God in openness and transparency and self-examination.  Our journey this year is a journey of paying special attention to what God is doing in our world. 

In a sense what we do in Advent is no different than what we do everyday throughout the year.  It's just that Advent slows us down a bit and gives us the opportunity to clear out any cobwebs that might have found their way into our story. It is a time to remember, to look back, to look forward, and to embrace the present.  It is a time to remember that God really is at work in the world, and that the world, as desperate as it is for meaning and purpose and peace, is not out of control.  God is here.  He has not distanced Himself from us but has come up close and personal. 

Today, I just want to say thank You to the God of all grace.  Our world is broken but our God is not broken.  He's got the whole world in His hands.  He's got me in His hands, and that amazes me more than anything else.  The world is filled with uncertainty but Jesus helps me to make sense of things in the midst of all the non-sense. 

So, even though it is a day late I want to say "Happy Thanksgiving" to all my friends and family.  May His grace embrace you through and through.  May His mercy stun You everyday.  May His comfort encourage you.  May His love hold you steady.  May God guide you and keep you and direct you in the twists and turns of your life.  May the Holy Spirit empower you.  May Jesus touch your life to the core and give you peace.

God you bless you all,

Rick