
During the children’s sermon time yesterday Pastor Mark had invited the young one’s to write a “Thank You Note” to God and bring it back next week so we can place them on the altar during worship. I don’t know if he had planned this, but he later turns to everyone in the church suggesting that we all bring a thank you note to be placed on the altar this coming Sunday. I love to journal my prayers and thoughts so I was excited about this.
For whatever reason though, this got me thinking. First I went through thanking God for Jill, Caleb, Ethan, and all our family. Then before I got much further I began to reflect in a different direction. These past three months I have had some significant experiences of confession, recognition of sin both present and past, and experiences of grace and forgiveness. Now I am not saying all this out loud for some kind of pity party, but I have been having one of those seasons where I feel like I have stepped a little closer to the light. The light of Jesus Christ has revealed some of the darkness and sin that is in me. There are some pages of my journal that may not look exactly like a thank you letter, or even look like it has much light. But the only reason those corners of my journal (and in me) looks dark because the light of Christ is shining bright and coming around the corner and is in the process of revealing and healing those dark places.
Sometimes flipping through the scriptures I have those moments when I see the heroes of our faith: Moses, David, Peter, Paul…. and I see just that: heroes, however sometimes I read about these people and wonder what God was thinking choosing them. Adulterers, murderers, zealous fighting for the cause one minute, unfaithfully denying the next….. Then when flipping through my journal recently and seeing those dark places I wonder what was God thinking choosing me. Not choosing me to be a pastor or a leader, a husband a father…. but actually choosing me. So what would my thank you letter have today?
I am thankful for the Mercy shown us in Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the light of Christ shining in our dark places bringing healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation. I am thankful that God is not done with (us)me yet. I am thankful that God is with us. I am thankful that God is for us.
Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – One True God. Thank You.
Amen
What is going to be on your thank you note? Don’t forget to bring them to worship on Sunday (I am not sure it matters if you don’t attend St. Paul UMC you can put them on the altar where ever you are).