2020 is a year we can all be thankful for. No really, we can! It’s been eventful and controversial to be sure. But it is in those times that we take stock of our lives. We think about what is really important to us. And we can re-focus ourselves into a mindset of thanksgiving. The Bible has a lot to say about giving thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. In 9 of St Paul’s Epistles he mentions that he gives thanks for his brothers and sisters in Christ. What a great way to start a letter – “I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers” (Philemon 1:4). Paul had a mindset of thankfulness. He understood who God is and the gifts that he had been given.
Each of us have been given gifts. We are given the gift of life each day. It’s so easy to take that for granted. It’s easy to take health for granted and a refrigerator with food in it. A warm house and family who loves us. The list goes on and on when we really stop to think about it. And we should stop to think about it. Every day. And spend some time thanking God not only for the way He provides for us, but for the perspective that that thankfulness generates. Practicing thankfulness brings the peace of knowing God. Knowing that He loves you and He cares about you. And that He is right there walking 2020 with you. And like the 1st Century Christians, God has provided us with brothers and sisters to walk the road of life with us– our community at Faith. Our job as a church family is to care for one another. I love it that our high school youth spent their Saturday raking leaves for those who couldn’t. This is just one example of so many ways that partners at Faith care for one another and the community. When we have a mindset of thankfulness, it shows in our actions. People can see Christ working through you!
And so my brothers and sisters, I pray the words of Paul; “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1: 3-6) Amen!!
Debi Petrillo
11/24/2020