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The calendar in my office says it is almost the day we in the U.S. celebrate as Thanksgiving. Whether you subscribe to the historical version or the more colorful folklore version of how Thanksgiving came about, it is a time to pause to reflect on how fortunate we are in this place and time. Given the challenges of last year, gathering with family and friends was difficult because of the pandemic, it is once again good to look forward to those times together. In I Corinthians 9:10 it says “Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” (ESV).

Thank God we live with people who live their faith in our Lord Jesus. This year as I write on behalf of our church about Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the people in our church and community that remind me again why I do what I do in preaching and sharing Christ. Thank God for the faith demonstrated in the family of James Sexson. The sharing of the journey of sadness, strengthened by the life we have in Christ has been beyond inspiring. Thank God for the Hope shared by the family of Brenda Hamilton. Thank God for the quiet faith of the family of Duane Porath. Thank God for the faith of Mitch Hay. So many others, but you get the point.

That time of year has finally come around where life is supposed to slow down a little. A time where we can pause and focus on the things in our lives that truly matter. Things like family, friends, our faith, and all the things that we have to be thankful for. As I reflect on this year, I am struck by both the blessings that our community has, and the challenges we face. I am new to this town, and am still struggling to learn names, and aspects of the culture here, but have been overwhelmed by this town’s sense of community and connection. It is a blessing to be a part of it. On the other hand, we are still facing issues associated with the dreaded pandemic, and all that entails.

“Tanking” is that mode of transportation where you turn a round, metal stock tank into a river raft and let it carry you downstream at the leisurely pace of the current. It requires almost no work and can be really relaxing. The downside is that you aren’t going to get anywhere very fast and if you happen to miss your landing spot…well, good luck. Your adventure just “tanked.”

I’m spoiled, and I know it. I have few if any real needs; I have plenty of food to eat, a roof over my head, a car to drive, clothes to wear, a little money in the bank, and a wife, kids, and grandkids who love me. Compared to how many other people around the world live, I’m spoiled.

The Christian hymn Count Your Blessings proclaims, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” Often, we take our blessings for granted; in case you have not considered the alternative, living in rural America has many benefits when compared to much of the world.

In the coming days you will hear a lot about all the things for which we should be thankful. We’ll hear thanksgiving for our stuff and for people in our lives. We will be told, do not focus on what you do not have but be thankful for what you do. We will be told to be thankful not just today on Thanksgiving but every day! And we praise God because gives us so much for which we are thankful!

The Pilgrim fathers who landed at Plymouth Rock over 300 years ago knew what it was like to suffer. They knew hunger, cold, deprivation and sickness. Not COVID-19 like we are enduring, but sickness that brought death to more than half of those who came to America; 50 the first year.

Thanks, O Lord for Hope, help, home, heaven And joy, peace, love. Now we offer praise for Keeping us under the Shadow of Your wings.

Marcqus Q. Napier, Ft.