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| I have observed a cycle of thanksgiving both in myself and in others. Most people greet a new favor, present or blessing with initial enthusiasm. There is great excitement over a new treasure or experience and we feel lucky or blessed or thankful depending upon our orientation and training. But when the newness wears off and the freshness and emotion get replaced by constant use and availability we become at best passively thankful. This can easily degenerate into taking something for granted and even a sense of entitlement. Then finally over time – if maturity is developed through trials, difficulties, hardships, scares, or just getting older – one often develops a deeper reverent thankfulness. Expectations and entitlement are replaced by a rich appreciation for the treasures we have. When I was newly married I exulted in how lucky I was to be married to such a hot and wonderful person. Over time and in the midst of the everydayness of life I became accustomed to her presence and at times I lost sight of how richly blessed I was. In many ways I often took one of God’s greatest gifts to me for granted. We are now in our 34th year of marriage and I am more deeply appreciative of my partner than ever. We may be past our physical prime but I find her more appealing than ever. Recently we were given a scare because my sister-in-law had a large thyroid tumor that had to be removed. It was treatable only by surgery. It took a month to schedule the surgery and another ten days to receive the biopsy results. We faced the very real prospect that she might not recover. Such trials can shake the very foundations of your belief system. If you have gone through something similar you know the joy and relief we felt when the tumor was discovered to be benign. But I must tell you that we felt something else just as intensely. We are even more profoundly thankful that in the eternal scope of things it doesn’t matter if she had cancer. She knows Jesus as her savior! One day she will eventually die and I am deeply and reverently thankful that she will be with God forever. After 37 years of knowing Christ as my savior I am still deeply touched by God’s unwarranted graciousness to me. Simple contemplation of the gospel of forgiveness and eternal life in Christ leaves me humbly thankful. |
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by Dr. J. Patrick Curtis, Senior Pastor |
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