The Lord God proclaims to these bones: I am about to put breath in you, and you will live again. I will put sinews on you, place flesh on you, and cover you with skin. When I put breath in you, and you come to life, you will know that I am the Lord. ~Ezekiel 37:5-6 (CEB)
Today, we are on the verge of one of the great foodie holidays of the whole year, Thanksgiving! My wife and kids got up early this morning, eager for the trek to the grocery store to secure the victuals for our dinner tomorrow. They returned and have started making the necessary preparations for our most beloved Thanksgiving tradition, the Turkey Loaf™️ (IYKYK). Last I checked, they were working on something delicious for this evening as a preamble to tomorrow’s feast. The sounds of their joy have buoyed me while I’m getting my last bits of work done before the holiday!
We are truly blessed to have these next couple of days together as a family. In conversation with assorted Saint Francis team members this week, I know many of you feel the same way. Some will be traveling, and others will receive travelers. Some will be happily settled at home, while others will need to make a circuit all over town. Some will have the joy of a first Thanksgiving with a new addition to the family, and others will be facing the first Thanksgiving after the loss of a loved one (and for both, this will be a prelude to the first Christmas with/without).
I hope many of you (friends, partners, and SFM employees) will have a lovely couple of days of rest and renewal. For those working After Hours or On Call in the next couple of days, be assured of my prayers for you.
Whatever the case, though, there is likely a chance at some point over the coming holiday days that you might need a moment to catch your breath. These days, as wonderful as they are, they can also be a bit stressful. In that circumstance, before tempers flare, I encourage you to take a deep, restorative breath. Allow that deep draw of breath to remind you that God gives the gift of life and all the blessings we enjoy in life. This is a truth that is as close to us as our next breath.
Holy and gracious God,
who has given us life and all good things:
You have entrusted us with so many great gifts,
the wonderful splendor of Creation,
the richness of relationship,
the power of forgiveness and renewal,
the good news of the Gospel.
As we gather around this abundant table,
with hearts and souls filled with thanks
for all you have done for us,
may this Thanksgiving overflow with
great joy and inspire our fresh commitment
to provide healing and hope
to all those placed in our care.
We pray these things in the holy name of Jesus Christ,
the source and summit of our gratitude. Amen.
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