Here’s
a thoughtful prayer reflection on thanksgiving from Carol Penner, pastor in
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It comes from
her Leading in Worship website.
Thanksgiving Revolution
God,
on this Thanksgiving we know enough to give thanks.
Our prayers often begin, “Thank you God for…”
and then we make a list.
The list is longer today, because it’s thanksgiving.
Our prayers often begin, “Thank you God for…”
and then we make a list.
The list is longer today, because it’s thanksgiving.
But
what if thankfulness has nothing to do with lists?
What if thankfulness is more like the difference between night and day,
the difference between being shut in and being free,
the difference between holding on and reaching out?
What if thankfulness is not something to be grasped,
not something that can be simply said,
not some thing at all?
What if thankfulness is more like the difference between night and day,
the difference between being shut in and being free,
the difference between holding on and reaching out?
What if thankfulness is not something to be grasped,
not something that can be simply said,
not some thing at all?
What
if thankfulness is transformation?
A Copernican revolution of the heart,
a re-centering, from our selves to your Son.
A blossoming, from bud to flower,
all the way to the ripe red apple.
A movement from life to death,
and beyond the grave to resurrection.
What if Thanksgiving is Christmas, Good Friday
and Easter all rolled into one.
A Copernican revolution of the heart,
a re-centering, from our selves to your Son.
A blossoming, from bud to flower,
all the way to the ripe red apple.
A movement from life to death,
and beyond the grave to resurrection.
What if Thanksgiving is Christmas, Good Friday
and Easter all rolled into one.
When
we are tempted to simply list our thanks,
or give our thanks,
show us the wider horizon,
where we are the extravagant gesture,
pressed down, shaken together, running over--
thankful people made in your image.
or give our thanks,
show us the wider horizon,
where we are the extravagant gesture,
pressed down, shaken together, running over--
thankful people made in your image.
~
written by Carol Penner, and posted on Leading
in Worship. http://carolpenner.typepad.com/leadinginworship/
