This past Sunday, we began our series on prayer, considering 3 essential prayers (according to Anne Lamott): Help! Thanks! Wow! This week we’ll turn our attention to Thanks!
Maybe this seems timely, since we’re in the middle of November, the month of Thanksgiving, when we often pause, between being up to our elbows in a turkey and washing all the dishes from the family and friends gathered around the table, to remember what we are thankful for. So, in that spirit, here are a few I’ve jotted down this week:
Rhonda Luckett
Barbara Speer
Stephen Clayton
Erin Clayton
Nick & Sidney Avlos
Potluck leftovers on a Tuesday afternoon
Linda Burris & Jeanne Cummings who create food and space for our church family to gather
Pamela Rylander & Rick Pokorny who faithfully and tirelessly care for our building (and the 21 volunteers who helped with our church workday this past Saturday!)
Audiobooks and paper books
Dan & Laura Dominick
Work that allows me to love people and still be there for my kid’s field trip
The Dallas Winds and gigs for my husband
Enough stuff in the fridge to have another 3rd grader over for dinner
Roxie, our lab, who reminds me to be in the moment we’re in
Dr. Jeremy Blackwood, who played piano for us during our Church Conference
Athena Michelle Gardner
Rev. Todd Harris, a good district superintendent and even better colleague and mentor
Those who have prayed for and offered other kindness my way after the death of my great-aunt
Our Wednesday night Bible study group
Tracey Hoover, Virginia Bovee, and all the team creating our Holiday Bazaar
I took a few minutes to look over the donations in the music office, admiring what has come in. Y’all! There’s apple butter and wall art and beautiful quilts and plum jelly and cookie mixes and books and, well, the list goes on and on. I’m grateful for the amazing folks who lead this effort and all the artisans who give of themselves – their time, talent, and expertise!
What I realize when I start a list like this is that I could go on and on. My heart feels like it grows three sizes and then some when I realize just how much goodness and mercy is in my life. Truly my cup overflows.
Thank you for being who you are, beloved. I’m praying for you and I hope you are praying for me.
peace,
Pastor Jessica.