Remembering to give thanksThe LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. Psalm 126:3 Sometimes I forget all the great things that God has done and is doing. Life will be going along just fine...and then...a bump in the road. I go from carefree to anxious and tense in a heartbeat. Sometimes I am tempted to hold on to the dissonance and tension when trials come my way. But I do this primarily because I forget what God has done for me. What are we to do with the tension and dissonance of times of trial and challenge? What will come of these difficult times? The writer of psalm 126 resolves tension with chords of gratitude and thanksgiving! How important it is for me to practice remembering: to give thanks, to celebrate God's faithfulness, to give God the credit He deserves. Yes, life gets hectic. Yes, problems show up like uninvited guests. Yes, obstacles appear to be larger than they are. All of these create tension and dissonance in our lives. And yet, God is always doing great things for us... often in spite of us. In the Eucharist we recall and remember the mighty saving acts of God. We take hold of bread and wine "in remembrance that Christ died for us...with thanksgiving." Why not take just a few minutes each day and recall what God has done for us? Imagine what might happen if in the midst of difficult circumstances we stopped and called to mind God steadfast goodness towards us? How might your life be different if you were to allow yourself to let go of the tension and dissonance in your life and give thanks. The LORD has done (and is doing) great things for us at St. John’s and we are glad!
Blessings,
Matthew+ O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP p.233) | 
