Giving Thanks

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

Psalm 86:12

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already upon us. It seems like just yesterday we were basking in the July sun. Nevertheless, the days are shorter, the leaves are falling, and the season has changed.

This season, with all of its changes, is also the time when we celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the peace and pace of Thanksgiving, slower than the commercially charged energy of Christmas. I love the tastes of Thanksgiving, especially greens, candied yams, stuffing, corn pudding, and cranberry sauce. I love the way in which we gather as a family to feast in each other's company, playing games while the NFL games serve as background music until the Dallas Cowboys game comes on when we are all front and center.

I also love how Thanksgiving invites us to pause and reflect on the many ways in which we are blessed. Thanksgiving invites us to cease complaining, which comes to us as naturally as breathing, and to focus our attention on the God who has loved us, kept us, provided for us, and been mighty good to us. This Thanksgiving, in addition to the many other things that I am grateful for, I give thanks to God for each and every one of you and for calling me to such an amazing church. My prayer is that you and your loved ones have a Blessed and Joyous Thanksgiving!

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah