Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Words stuck in my throat The shame, the sin, the pain Somehow they keep life out Keep love out Keep love in The words seep out The shame, the sin, the pain Somehow the breath of life comes in Love pours in Love overflows There is grace in truth The freedom, the joy, the peace God’s mercy abounds A promise made A promise kept

Today is Thanksgiving and this weekend we focus on the things we are grateful for. Many families will or already have had a dinner with turkey and all of the fixings. At a lot of those tables there will be a tradition of going around and asking people what they are thankful for. I always have a struggle with that tradition. I have trouble boiling down what I am grateful to just one or two sentences. Often I have to tell stories to explain why I am thankful. Who really wants to sit and listen to me talk for 5 minutes about why I am thankful when there is turkey on the table? Yesterday I started out feeling weary and tired. I was blessed by a gathering at church that was fun but also a teaching that met me exactly where I was at. I entered the gathering feeling alone and left feeling abundantly blessed. To say that I am grateful for friends would not begin to express the things in my life that I am grateful for. Seven years ago I walked through the world feeling disconnected. ...