A Thanksgiving Letter

Can you remember the last time you were surprised by grace? 

Not as a specific commodity that you would pray for, a specific blessing or particular gift.

But grace. The free-flowing and abundant grace that God shares with us every day. God decides to lavish this grace upon us no matter who we are and what we do: it is an unmerited gift made known to us in the promise of salvation.

It is at this time of year, this harvest festival, that we dedicate time to celebrate this grace. We delight in the abundance of blessings – both physical and spiritual – that fill our hearts and our homes.

         Again, I invite you to reflect on the last time that you were surprised by God’s grace. God’s favour is shared so freely that we might take it for granted.

         Yet I invite us to do the opposite: to enter into a time of Thanksgiving by giving thanks. Thanks for the gifts of this life, and thanks for the promise of the heavenly banquet awaiting us in the next. Thanks for the love which we receive in this life, and thanks for the opportunity to share love with all whom we encounter. Thanks for the significant moments where we delight in feeling God’s presence, and thanks for the ordinary times that are nearly forgetful.

         For in each and every one of our moments, God’s grace is present. In each and every encounter, God’s grace is present. In each and every object and thing, God’s grace is present.

         I pray that we might engage with this ever-present grace; to intentionally seek it out, to intentionally offer thanks to God for it, and to intentionally share the good news of God’s grace in our lives.

         May your hearts be thankful for having been surprised by God’s abundant grace, this day and every day.