Thursday, November 10, 2011

Anticipating Thanksgiving

We're nearing the midpoint of November - already! My favorite months of the year seem to whiz by. I count the minutes until August is over and then I kick it into high-gear when September dawns. The colors. The temperatures. The sights. The smells. The tastes. The holidays. 

I, Sarah, do solemnly swear that Fall is my favorite season of the year...
Yeah, yeah, my boys have been busy with the typical Fall-themed crafts and projects: we have turkeys, pilgrim hats, acorn wreaths, and leaf collections. They love doing it all, mostly I think because it involves being outside to gather supplies.
Our family has maximized fun and memories and experiences together this Fall. We've played and traveled and baked and created and enjoyed. And it's been great! 
But, in light of all the happy moments my family has enjoyed, I've watched special friends and family walk through cloudy, windy, and rainy days these past couple of months. For them, this Fall hasn't brought laughter and giddy expectation. Instead, it's brought tears and weariness and loneliness.
How do you offer comfort to someone saying goodbye to a loved one? How do you offer consolation to a friend that lost a baby? How do you encourage a marriage to keep on keeping on when details suggest there is nothing left to try? How do you motivate a friend to keep seeking after God when years of prayers seem unanswered? How do you help families who lose an income and face expenses too great to manage?
I'm not good with words. I'm not quick with answers. I'm not proficient at flipping my Bible open to the right verse at the right time. But thank you Jesus, I don't have to be.

Thank you Jesus that He alone is the answer to every need and every hurt and every longing. He is the answer every time for every person in every situation.
It's my joy and privilege to pray - earnestly. It's my joy and privilege to serve - eagerly. It's my joy and privilege to love - unashamedly. It's my joy and privilege to give - wholeheartedly. It's my joy and privilege to share in the hurts and sorrows of others because that's exactly what the compassion of Jesus bids me do.
Thanksgiving arrives in less than two weeks. We all - all - have much to be thankful for regardless of what we are or are not experiencing; what we do or do not have in our savings account; what we need or do not need for our health; and what we do our do not have in relationships.

Jesus is enough. He is the answer every time for every person in every situation.
Psalm 34: 1-10
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his saints, and those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

3 comments:

  1. Love all your fun fall craftiness!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such a great time to remember those hurting, not only to realize the things we should be thankful for that we tend to overlook, but also to share God's love with them.

    Love the crafts, as always, but really love your thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  3. And this is why you should be writing devotionals! You do have a way with words, and expressing thoughts, while putting the Lord front and center. I'll be praying for you, your busy days, and those you care about. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete