Peace At Thanksgiving

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

It's early Thanksgiving Day morning here in Idaho. The house is quiet. The cat, who insisted on being fed at her normal 5:00 AM time, has found a warm spot to go back to sleep by the fireplace. Pam is still snoozing. Sadly she has to work today. That means cooking Thanksgiving dinner is on my plan of the day. Prayers are definitely in order and appreciated. Hopefully dinner will not be a bloody sacrifice or a burnt offering.

The stormy weather of yesterday has come and gone. The storms, like events that come and go in our lives, are a source of turbulence. Things are disrupted. Our routine is disturbed while we deal with the latest source of disruption. These disruptions happen at work, at home, with our immediate families, or with distant relatives. These disruptions can be like small waves, or they may even be large whitecap size wave problems upon the waters of our lives. On rare occasions they can even be as big as a tsunami. Significant events can bring things to an abrupt halt. But today - this morning, things are relatively calm.

It is in times like this morning, when the wind is calm and the waters are smooth that I can give thanks to the Lord for that which I have been so richly blessed. Good health, my family (by birth,marriage & extended), a job, a home, good friends, a wonderful place to worship. The list goes on. It is in times like this I can reflect back on when there were times of turbulence and be thankful for the calm. Changing jobs, divorce, struggles with my faith, struggles with relationships, the ordeal of my son Andy to just name a few. But these turbulent times are at a pause. There is a good deal of peace. And for that I am thankful. I am thankful that there is a perceivable peace in my life. And I am more thankful that I can let the peace of Christ rule in my heart. The Colossians 3:15 passage is one for us to reflect upon in our hearts today and everyday. We are called to do so because we know that we have a loving Father in heaven, a Holy Spirit that brings to us the faith to remain calm in the storm, and the Son of God our Savior Jesus Christ. We have the whole package for finding peace in the midst of a storm. And it is in times of calm, like this morning that I can remember to be thankful for the peace and tranquility that I have today. The world may seek to disrupt that calm in the future, but today it is peaceful. I can let tomorrow take care of itself. But today, I have the gentle reminder of Colossians 3:15 to keep my perspective focused on Christ and that peace that is found only in Christ.

Friends, my hope and prayer for you today is that your Thanksgiving Day is filled with all the love, joy, food, family, and fun that you so richly deserve. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.

PRAYER: Lord and provider of all I give thanks to You. You have brought me through the storm. You have remained steadfast at my side, even when I did not see You there. Your light, my Savior Jesus Christ, is the beacon I can trust to navigate by. Help me today, and everyday to relish the peaceful times. And Father, help me to stay focused on Jesus in the midst of the storms that will come. All this I ask in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Spirit are one, Amen.