Happy Thanksgiving!

This afternoon our family is driving down the mountain to my parents' home in Pacific Beach, half a block from the shimmering ocean which can be seen from their upper deck, the center of this day's festivities. An abundant pot luck is in store for us; Keith made the pies, as usual: two pumpkin, one apple, and one huckleberry (my sister brought the jar of filling from Montana, wild huckleberries her family picked back in August). We're bringing Apples to Apples and Harry Potter Clue to play after we take a stroll down the boardwalk between dinner and dessert, with a total of 23 people to enjoy it all. I'm also excited to meet my brother's girlfriend and her two kids for the first time, plus my sister and her family are here from Montana. The weather is cold but clear, and it will truly be a beautiful day across Southern California.

Last night Jonathan played guitar for the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service in Alpine as part of the Free Teen Guitar Class. Several churches (Catholic, mainline Protestant, and evangelical) gathered together to worship and to thank God for His goodness and love. It was a lovely service, and we read portions of Psalm 118 responsively:

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say,
"His steadfast love endures forever."
Let the house of Aaron say,
"His steadfast love endures forever."
Let those who fear the LORD say,
"His steadfast love endures forever."
The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 118: 1-4; 14, 26-29, ESV

This day also seems magnified after almost a year of walking in thanksgiving with the Gratitude Community. Since last December 19, I have tallied 425 thanks as I journey to One Thousand Gifts. Pausing each week to remember His good gifts has greatly influenced how I view this Holy Day--it seems more significant, more of-the-heart. Thanksgiving is no longer merely a day of family, friends, and turkey; it's a deeper day, more quietly joyous now. And for this gift of gratitude I also offer my heart-deep thanks.

So on this day set aside for the giving of thanks, may we gather with our beloved ones and hold them close, thanking our Lord for His steadfast love which endures forever!

Thanks be to God!

With thanks this day and always,