Grateful The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. Psalm 126:3 I have a problem of forgetting.
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." I wonder what might happen if each of us were to take just a few minutes each day and recall what God has done for us. 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, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p. 236) | 
