Dear Rose Park,
Thank you. Thank you for your faithfulness, your support, your prayers, and your commitment to the people of God during these odd and unprecedented times. Thank you so much for loving your neighbor as yourself and being hospitable with our health protocols. Thank you for not allowing the fear of today overwhelm your hope in eternity. It brings a smile to my face and a warmth to my heart to be a recipient of your thoughtfulness and support as well as to witness your generosity to others.
This past weekend, Sam and I drove down to Indianapolis for her birthday. It was so good to spend time together during the drive, over lunch, and even on a few walks. As we came back into town and prepared ourselves to jump back into our normal rhythms we were greeted by a familiar face. This wasn’t the face of a family member, a friend, or even a real person. It was the face of a wooden door greeter adorned in Hope College attire. Attached to this chest was a card addressed to ‘Mark & Sam.’ The card didn’t have a signature, but it spoke of thankfulness and appreciation. To the giver of this gift, thank you.
Thankfulness means more than any of us can imagine. Specifically in a time of great chaos, division, loneliness, and even pain the gift of gratitude is a tremendous offering. I wonder when was the last time you went out of your way to say thanks? I trust we all practice the cultural appropriate ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ when it involves food; however, how are we going beyond the basics when it comes to gratitude and thankfulness?
As we approach November and Thanksgiving, would you join me for an entire month of gratitude? I find it appropriate, given this current season of life, to take time not only to discern our thankfulness but also express our thankfulness. It’s one thing to be aware, it’s another to take action. With that being said, it will be a goal of mine during the entire month of November to practice expressing my thankfulness, and I encourage you to do the same. Perhaps this comes through cards, a phone call, a hot meal, or even a wooden door greeter adorned in Hope College attire however it looks for you, take time to express your thankfulness for the person, characteristics, and gifts of God.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark