HOW DO WE THANK GOD? Do we only see our glass as half-empty … or
do we realize we have a glass that is half-full and gratefully express our
thanks to God for giving us that much! I
had to preach myself a little sermon after our wonderfully full household
emptied out this week after a few incredible days with kids and grandkids. You know how it is … you pour yourself into
the preparations wrapped in excitement and anticipation. You want everything to be ready and to be as
treasured a time as possible ~ especially when you only see each other a few
days out of the entire year! So you
attempt to pack as much living as you possibly can into only a few days
arranged around an extended family reunion.
And while we were blessed immeasurably to just simply look around and
see our family here with us and hear their voices and their laughter … all too
soon, we saw fleeting glimpses of them disappearing in the distance as they
headed back to their own homes. The
deafening quietness, the absence of movement, and only the memory of their
presence – left me feeling like my glass was half-empty. What we enjoyed was so precious, yet it left
me wishing there could have been more.
More relaxed time. More
talks. More time to run here and there
experiencing fun adventures without a schedule to work around. But then … nothing is ever perfect, is
it? But you see, I give myself very
limited time for sadness or regrets. I
refuse to be sad for very long. I will
pick up the glass that I first saw as half-empty and I will take a new look at
it. This time I will see that it is
truly packed with moments that far outweigh my wishes to have been able to
“make everything happen” in the short time we had together. I will thank God that even in our busyness …
we could pick up where we left off. Our
sons got to know each other’s children after four years apart – and spend
valuable time together as brothers. The
couples were able to take off and enjoy a few outings which gave us
longed-for-grandkid-time! I was gifted
with a late Saturday night chat with one of our older grandsons and our
youngest granddaughter as together we spent nearly the entire conversation on
spiritual things. The three little boys
were generous with their hugs, smiles, and noisy fun and we savored every minute
of it all. Several of us gathered in the
kitchen to laugh our way through a huge pasta-salad-making process for the
reunion that kept all of us in team-work mode … and in stitches! We had the privilege of worshipping together
in God’s House here at Elevation North! One
evening we sat outdoors around the blazing fire-pit as darkness fell. And great-gramma and great-grandson got to
celebrate their shared birthdays … 80th and 7th … together
with all of us around them! We got to be
a family … physically, which for us, is rare.
Are we perfect? No, not at all.
But we are loved by each other and by God, and that makes our glasses
filled to the brim and running over! “Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and we will dwell
in the house of the Lord forever and ever!”
(Psalm 23:6a) Let me ask you,
“How do you thank God?” I hope
you see your glass – not just filled, but overflowing with God’s
abundant goodness! Go ahead, take
another look!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
A SPECIAL WELCOME to first & second time visitors, Merry-Rose and Becky, who joined us in worship recently!
LOVING ANNIVERSARY WISHES to our son and daughter-in-love, Dustin and Becky, on August 15th! We love you!
SPECIAL 80th BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Mom Shirley who celebrated on August 7th – and to our grandson, Isaiah, who was 7 on the 7th! We thank God for you both!
SUN, AUG 12: 10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP w/message: "God's Spiritual Gifts - To Help You Serve!"
SUN, AUG 12: 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION with classes for everyone!
SUN, AUG 19: 10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP w/conclusion of: "God's Spiritual Gifts - Serving With Power!"
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Jimmy & Nancy, Johnny & Cherry, Zoe’s family, Julia, Liz, unspoken needs, outreach to the lost, Lundstroms, Seykoras, our church family and new believers, our college students, and our nation
REMEMBER . . . “Add to your joy by counting your blessings. Many blessings are given to those who trust the Lord.” Psalm 40:4
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
