November 2017

A Table Blessing for Thanksgiving

By Stephen A. Macchia

Dear Lord,

As we gather around this table of gratitude, we thank you for giving us the blessings of:

Life…abundantly offered in Jesus

Freedom…sacrificially attained by others

Family…imperfectly bonded in love

Friends…lovingly upheld by grace

Work…meaningfully fulfilled in service

Community…compassionately provided by kindness

Church…missionally united in worship

Forgiveness…freely graced by time

Disappointment…redemptively received in mercy

Patience…peacefully granted by faith

Sabbath…restfully enjoyed in peace

Love…plentifully harvested by hope

May all the joys you so freely give to us be generously shared with all who cross our path, and may our hearts overflow with thanksgiving today and always.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

“Let every day, therefore, be a day of humility; condescend to all the weaknesses and infirmities of your fellow-creatures, cover their frailties, love their excellencies, encourage their virtues, relieve their wants, rejoice in their prosperities, compassionate their distress, receive their friendship, overlook their unkindness, forgive their malice, be a servant of servants, and condescend to do the lowest offices to the lowest of mankind.” (William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life)

What is the invitation herein for you today, dear friend? Every day perhaps?

Behold the humility of Jesus – Believe his call to do and be likewise – Belong to those who march to a different drummer – Become the person God intends today and everyday