Meditation for November 26, 2008

From The Rev. Peter A. Munson

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Giving Thanks to God

Paul says to "give thanks in all circumstances".  I am thankful that our country has a holiday - and thankfully, one that isn't overly commercialized - set aside for giving thanks to God.  I am also thankful that we can and do give thanks to God every day of our lives, and that every Sunday we can celebrate the Eucharist together, a word which means "thanksgiving".

I am also thankful to God for:

my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - for his great example of love and sacrifice, and for the fact that we follow a Lord who hung out with "tax collectors and sinners"

everyone who gives generously of their time, their money, their talents - who give of themselves - to bring about a more just world, and the kingdom of God

the peacemakers, including 7,876 current Peace Corps Volunteers and Trainees, serving in 76 different countries

everyone who voted in the recent national election

my wife Julia, who has taught me more about healthy relationships and intimacy than anyone I have every known, and for Zach and Hannah, as we celebrate how they continue to grow and become - more and more - the unique people that God calls them to be

my parents, my sisters, my friends, my spiritual mentors, and for the "difficult people" God puts in my life, who teach me lessons that I need to learn

Julia's recovery from cancer surgery, for Deb Ferguson, R.N., for Dr. Jeffrey Cross, for Sandy Brennan, and for everyone who supported Julia and our family during that difficult time earlier this year - a simple "thank you" could never begin to express our deep gratitude

my health, and the ability to still run, hike, and climb mountains

a safe traverse this summer across the "gnarly" El Diente-Mt. Wilson ridge

a job that calls me beyond my petty problems, where I get to be with people during times of challenge and crisis, and offer a word of prayer, a word of hope, a word of encouragement

the Bible and all the riches and grace that are inside of it, and for The Book of Common Prayer

the opportunity to preach and write on a regular basis

big dreams and large goals, and the Holy Spirit who inspires them in us, and gives us the strength and courage to pursue them

the USA - despite all its faults (consumerism, greed, residual prejudice, and sometimes arrogance), it's still an amazing country where people can rise up and do good and compassionate things

veterans, and for all the people who offer help to our returning and often-traumatized soldiers

the fruits of the earth that sustain us, for farmers and ranchers, and for clean water

mountains, oceans, rivers, streams, farms, grasslands, forests, meadows filled with wildflowers, and all the creatures who inhabit them, and for those who work hard to preserve them

the four coyotes I saw as I drove into Rocky Mountain National Park last Thursday, and for some of my favorite places in that park - Timberline Falls and Sky Pond, Mills Lake, Mt. Alice, and Ouzel Falls, just to name a few

the people I see being faithful every day - not just during the good times, but especially during the difficult times of loss and grief, challenge, and heartache

Heather Payton, my new colleague in ministry, and for all her energy, and for the wonderful staff I work with, and for each person at St. Ambrose

each person I have shared a trail with over the years

music and all the creative people who share the arts with us - writers and poets, musicians, painters and sculptors and inventors - for all they add to our lives

all teachers, no matter what they teach and no matter what age-level

the freedom to pray and worship God, whenever and wherever and however we want to

For all these things and so many more, O Lord, I am deeply thankful to you.  May you be given the glory and honor and praise you deserve, now and foevermore.  Amen.