Today’s Author: Kent Olson
It’s Thanksgiving week in America.
It has been a rough 20 months with no clear end or return to something close to old patterns. With all this stress, we do not hear, “Thank you,” “Thanks,” or something similar often enough. Even pre-pandemic, we did not hear it often enough. While I try to remember to say thanks, I do not remember every time. Or later I do not remember if I did. In the rush of leaving, the busyness of the day, concerns elsewhere, I forget. I’m human.
So at this time of year, I spend some time thinking back over the year. I remember things that people did for me, a good word. I give thanks. If it was something memorable, I reach out again. I send a note or email if the person is not close geographically. Sometimes I reach out when I do not remember if I said thanks or if I said it loud enough. Sometimes, I know I did not say thank you at the time, and I have had a nagging internal voice telling me so for several months. So I reach out to say thank you and, occasionally, use the cloak of Thanksgiving week to cover up the fact that I forgot earlier. I’m human.
I always get a positive response and a thank you back. Makes me smile. I’m human.
I invite you to try it yourself. Think of good times this past year, good efforts, good words that you received. Reach out to say thanks. Even if we do not hear back, our spirits will be lifted by our effort to say thanks. We’re human.
Dear God, thank you for all the people who have helped us over time and especially during the past year and longer. Thank you for the great light that illuminates the eternal life that we can look forward to. Amen
“Mid-week devotions are authored by members of our community. If you are interested in creating a trio of reflections to be shared on an upcoming Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday contact Pastor Peter.“