A place called 'Thanksgiving'

I think there are "seasons" in one's life as on a calendar. Times when there is a preeminent theme, condition or circumstance. It seems my "season" is Thanksgiving. That is, I find myself spending more time with God in Thanking than Requesting.

To be sure the events, personal and corporate, cry out for reconciliation, healing and peace. They always have and always will, as the human inclination to do ill always finds expression. It is true in human relations as well as relations among nations.

Somehow in the face of the harsh realities of life; inexplicable tragedy or the expression of ill will, hate, war and suffering -- somewhere -- somewhere, there must be a place called Thanksgiving.

It is not a place of self-centeredness, or isolation, though I suppose it could become so. It is more God centered than person-focused. God centered because one acknowledges that every good and perfect thing comes from God. To be sure, one's contributions and efforts are in great measure self-producing, but there is that beginning stuff of life not of our origin. It is God Stuff.

Thanksgiving. Sometimes the human season coincides with that of calendar. Perhaps it is so with you.

My season seems perpetual. I reflect and observe. I remember and recall. I weigh and assess. Thanksgiving overshadows all else. Even my disappointment, failing, and world calamity.

In the face of a spreading evil is an undying good. There is the persistent, "No!" No to efforts to objectify humanity as "Thing," either because of gender or ethnicity. The voices and actions are varied; they speak a persistent truth even when unpopular and often at great cost or sacrifice. But the voice of good and truth are never absent. Thanksgiving.

The touch of colleagues, the goodness they bring to life. Sometimes it is only in their departure, retirement, relocation or death that we fully appreciate their profound impact. Daily taken for granted is their forming of another's spirit -- subtle, sometimes obvious but not quite fully embraced. But in the Light of awareness, Thanksgiving.

Family: Sometimes separated by miles or distance, philosophy and perspective, but unalterably -- family. Siblings, parents, extended loved ones. More a part of us than we realized; not even times changes or experiences can erase.

One day there is the overwhelming sense of their forming of our lives. Brother, sister, father, mother, grandparent, uncle, aunt, cousin. Thanksgiving.

Nation: Different to be sure in the landscape of nations. Perfect -- none! Faults -- all! But or nation -- mine and yours -- has a persistent core of decency, fairness; an inclination towards justice despite the warring within itself to be otherwise.

It's unbelievable variety and diversity of people and geography. The beauty of both. Not withstanding its aberrations -- it is a good place. I desire to be in no other, even though I recognize mine -- ours is not unique -- save how we experience nationhood and citizenship. Thanksgiving.

Life -- every day and moment, a gift. Some moments and some days more difficult, heart wrenching and discouraging -- but only to be known because of the gift of Life itself. Life in this Place is not forever. So there is the inevitable -- the wearing down and out of mind or body. Sometimes both. The eventuality of ailment or even accident. The certainty of death. But none without, first, Life. Thanksgiving.

God known through Christ: The Church and its disciples -- parent, church school teacher, youth leader, pastor -- introduces, points toward, shares the One who came to save the world to make Life full. Then one experiences for one's self the meaning of wholeness and rejoices in the promise of Forever -- Resurrection. Thanksgiving.

In the brisk fall morning of a Hoosier sunrise, I have an overwhelming sense of Thanksgiving.

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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