Can you smell it yet? You know, that smell of turkey cooking in the oven. This is a time of the year that I absolutely love. Not only do I look forward to Thanksgiving Day (turkey, mashed potatoes, pie, etc.) but I look forward to a time of reflection. I remember Thanksgivings of the past with my mother and grandmother. I wish I could cook like them. I was told last year that I should have removed the gizzards before putting the turkey in the oven.
  I remember gathering around the table with family. I would hear the latest news of friends and relatives. I would watch my grandmother scurrying about in the kitchen putting the final touches on the food. Parades on the television captured my attention, and imagination. Of course after the parades came the football games. That really wasn’t my cup of tea.
  In this season such memories fill my soul with joy and peace. It leads me to reflect upon the grace of God as well. None of the activities we associate with Thanksgiving would occur without God’s grace. We take time to give God the “thanks” for the blessings that we have received throughout the year. We receive blessings that give us good health. We receive blessings that give us strength to get through difficult times. We receive blessings through the celebration of life.
  From Psalm 63 these beautiful words are found, “My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed, and mediate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” The Psalmist has the sense of Thanksgiving. Our souls are satisfied by God whom we can cling to, and experience grace first hand.
  As we approach Thanksgiving this year, I invite all of us to “meditate” or reflect on what God has done in our lives. In the midst of dinners, parades, and football games, there is a God who smiles upon us and loves us very much. Now is the time to express gratitude for that love.


Grace and peace,

Pastor Michael