Giving Thanks

A lot of my friends and coworkers lost someone dear to them this year. Our church family has been through some horrific losses. One good thing that Facebook and social media does is to extend connections and help us be more aware, and if willing, to share in the suffering of others.

I've sent up some prayers today, for those who have lost parents, spouses, and children especially. Those losses make me grateful for those in the room and in rooms in Washington, California, Oregon, Tennessee, British Columbia, Costa Rica and many other places eating and drinking, sharing life.

The kids and I read a book about Sarah Hale tonight. Her idea for Thanksgiving was born after the death of her husband as she taught her children to be grateful for his life and for having known him instead of being bitter and angry. She went on to petition president after president to make it a national holiday. Her wish met success when Abraham Lincoln also saw the need in the midst of a horrific Civil War to be grateful even in the midst of loss. He thought that our nation needed to give thanks even as they mourned losses.

So for those who suffer, for those who mourn, I pray that you can cling to gratefulness.

For those of us who believe, who are preparing to enter the season of Advent and a season of giving, there is no greater way to begin it. Giving Thanks.