Ordinary Time

Pause

God I give you what I can today
These scattered ashes that are hid away
I lay it all at your feet

Lauren Daigle in “Once and for All” (2015)

Listen

Don’t fear, fertile land; rejoice and be glad, for the Lord is about to do great things!

Don’t be afraid, animals of the field, for the meadows of the wilderness will turn green; the tree will bear its fruit; the fig tree and grapevine will give their full yield.

Children of Zion, rejoice and be glad in the Lord your God, because he will give you the early rain as a sign of righteousness; he will pour down abundant rain for you, the early and the late rain, as before.

The threshing floors will be full of grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and fresh oil.

Joel 2:21-24

Think

This Thanksgiving week, we discover in the scriptures a recipe for cultivating a life of gratitude…

Ingredient #4: Faith

Hallmark commercials represent Thanksgiving as a time of fun-filled family conversation and laughter. But for many folks, the holiday will be a time of fear, trepidation, and mourning. Family relationships are complicated, built on years of experiences – both good and bad. In this day and age, many family members disagree on politics. Some families have said or done hurtful things that were never resolved. And other families will spend this holiday mourning a loved one who has passed.

In Joel 2 we find a complicated dynamic in God’s family. Throughout the book, we see God and the people of Israel struggle with each other. First fighting, destroying the land with locust, then repenting, showing mercy and remembering the love they once shared, finally forgiving, and in Joel 2:21-24, we see them forging ahead with great hopes for the future.

Over and over again we hear God tell the people of Israel, “Fear not.” It’s a reminder that God is a God of redemption, reconciliation, and restoration.

We may not be able to feel thankful in this moment, but fear not, God is not done…

Kelli Kirksey

Pray

God, help me to remember that you provide for me, always. Help me to listen for your voice call me to a life of fearless love and faith.

When circumstances are overwhelming and I am struggling, please remind me of your unending and redemptive love.

Amen.

Go

From the corners of my deepest shame
The empty places where I’ve worn your name
Show me the love I say I believe

Oh, help me to lay it down
Oh, Lord I lay it down

Lauren Daigle in “Once and for All” (2015)