November 27, 2013 - "A Prayer For My Table"

How does one spend the day before Thanksgiving? I guess that depends on "if" you're the one doing the cooking. Right? For those of you who know me personally, you know that I am a planner and a schemer and this traditional meal requires planning. I have the food lists and the days when they are to be created and where they will be placed until they go into the oven. Yikes - too much to share in a blog probably. But if you're like me, confusion on Thanksgiving morning can mean a "not so peaceful" lunch. So I plan. Yesterday we spoke of thanksgiving proceeding from a place of remembering. And then I encouraged you to find people round about to whom you could remember and thank. Today, I want to share a passage of scripture from Psalms that I feel speaks into our Thanksgiving season perfectly. Psalm 145 (CEV) I will praise you, my God and King and always honor your name. 2 I will praise you each day and always honor your name. 3 You are wonderful, Lord, and you deserve all praise, because you are much greater than anyone can understand. 4 Each generation will announce to the next your wonderful and powerful deeds. 5 I will keep thinking about your marvelous glory and your mighty miracles.[a] 6 Everyone will talk about your fearsome deeds, and I will tell all nations how great you are. 7 They will celebrate and sing about your matchless mercy and your power to save. 8 You are merciful, Lord! You are kind and patient and always loving. 9 You are good to everyone, and you take care of all your creation. 10 All creation will thank you, and your loyal people will praise you. 11 They will tell about your marvelous kingdom and your power. 12 Then everyone will know about the mighty things you do and your glorious kingdom. 13 Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever. Our Lord, you keep your word and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. 15 Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food. 16 By your own hand you satisfy the desires of all who live. 17 Our Lord, everything you do is kind and thoughtful, 18 and you are near to everyone whose prayers are sincere. 19 You satisfy the desires of all your worshipers, and you come to save them when they ask for help. 20 You take care of everyone who loves you, but you destroy the wicked. 21 I will praise you, Lord, and everyone will respect your holy name forever. Wow - this entire passage causes me to stop, remember, and give thanks. I pray this Thanksgiving each of us can find a quiet place where we can sit still and contemplate. Perhaps you could turn this Psalm into a prayer of Thanksgiving that you could share at your meal on Thursday. I am. Remember - LIFE GROUP IS NOT THIS SUNDAY, BUT NEXT SUNDAY. We will share our healthy, Christmas dishes on our pretty, Christmas dishes. Hope you can come.