May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make [God’s] face to shine upon us, 
that your way may be known upon earth,
    your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you.
Psalm 67:1-3, NRSVUE

Next week is Thanksgiving!
Maybe that means there will be a flurry of activity with cleaning and cooking and preparing your home for loved ones to arrive. 
Maybe that means traveling to be with loved ones, whether that entails a plane, train, or automobile. 
Maybe that means the day will be calm and quiet.
Maybe that means an empty chair at the table. 

Holidays like Thanksgiving sure can be complicated. 

Though maybe it helps to remember that giving thanks can be powerful because it helps us reorient our lives. 
Gratitude can change our perspectives.
Here’s what I mean, let’s say you’re having a terrible start to your day. 
It’s been mostly minor inconveniences, but still!
You overslept and it’s a bad hair day.  Nothing looks good as you try on several outfits. 
Not to mention, you spilled coffee all over yourself.  Your dog refuses to come inside, making you even more late.  You got into a fight with your spouse and it’s lingering. 
You know it’s going to be a stressful day at work.  The kids even got into a bad argument to add some salt to the wound.  What is with today!?

Even in a moment like that . . .
can we pause and think of just one thing we’re grateful for?

Perhaps it’s that next week is Thanksgiving and you’ll have a few days off work. 
You could use a break!
Perhaps it’s that spilling the coffee means you have to run out to Starbucks later.
That’s just how it works on days like the one you’re having, I don’t make the rules!
Perhaps it’s that your dog is at least getting some fresh air and exercise, and come to think of it so are you as you’re chasing her around the yard!

When we can find one thing that we’re grateful for (even in the midst of a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day), I find that it helps gain perspective.
Maybe it’s not all bad after all. 
These are mostly silly examples, but perhaps we can apply a spirit of gratitude to more complex situations as well. 
Even if life feels hard/sad/overwhelming, is there even one thing that makes us feel grateful?

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.
Love,
Pastor Lauren

Photo by Dulcey Lima on Unsplash

Thursday Thoughts 11/21/24