One of my favorite newer songs by Steven Curtis Chapman reminds me of the importance of remembering God’s promises.
I think that is why Thanksgiving continues to be one of my favorite holidays. Words like grateful, blessed, and thankful can be found posted in various public places. Store advertisements include the words, “Happy Thanksgiving”. You cannot avoid it.
It was definitely sad not to see my mother and my brother’s father-in-law at the table yesterday. It was only a year ago when they were commenting on the meal Chloe created! I felt the need to write a prayer for yesterday’s meal. Here it is:
Scripture references: Psalm 29:2 and 1 Thessalonians 5: 18
Dear Lord in heaven,
We praise you for your faithfulness, your love, and your gift to us of salvation. You are sovereign in all your ways and never change. Thank you for your goodness you have shown to use in 2019– our jobs, our education, our families, and your provision of health care for Phil and Marianne. Thank you for the celebration of their lives that pointed to You. We confess that sometimes we don’t want to thank you for this year. It was a year that was and continues to be tearful at moments. We miss Phil and Marianne deeply and yet we rejoice they are with you. But… it’s hard. Thank you for blessing us with laughter in the midst of it all– for the moment we laughed hysterically during funeral planning, for these funny Michigan phrases like Feel the Zeel and Smitten with the Mitten. Thank you for people who send flowers, cards, texts, emails, and food reminding us of your faithfulness. Thank you for memories of Marianne’s King peppermints scattered in various places and Phil’s reconstruction of furniture. The list could go on and on. Help us, Lord, to be more compassionate, more Christ-like, and always choose joy. Bless the food we are about to eat. IN YOUR MOST HOLY NAME, AMEN.
A Journey Worth Remembering 