If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. − Meister Eckhart
Dear Ones,
I love the quote above both for its simplicity and its truth. But even more than that, I love it because it reminds me of a beloved church member, in her mid-fifties, who was in the hospital for what we thought was a curable illness.
On one of my visits, I asked her about how she prays. She sat up in her bed and got a big grin on her face and looked me in the eyes and said, the best prayer I can ever pray is thank you. It was just after Thanksgiving, in 2004, that she passed from this life as I sat vigil by her bedside. It was a shock and a grief none of us were prepared for. But what sticks with me now was her ability to be thankful in the midst of her circumstances. This made her life rich beyond measure and so it was no surprise that our sanctuary was filled for her celebration of life.
Since 2004, every year when November rolls around and Thanksgiving approaches, I always think of Janet, with her wide grin, and the way in which she internalized these simple words about prayer from Meister Eckhart.
Truly, a simple thank you expands our heart and it expands the heart of the one thanked.
As I look back at this last month I have so much to be thankful for. I did not expect to contract COVID and be sick for 10 days but it gave me a lot of time to practice the thank you prayer. Even though I was able to work from home on some days, there was so much that needed to be taken off my plate. And so, thank you. Thank you to Rev. Alexandra and Rev. Lacey who stepped in and took the lead on the Dia de Los Muertos Service. Thank you to Rev. Alexandra, Kathryn Gronke and Janice for responding at late notice and stepping in to lead the worship service on the following Sunday, November 12. And thank you to Lisa and the many others who carried on doing all the amazing things you always do.
With Eric also needing to be out of town to care for his father, we must also offer a thank you to Carolyn Villa, Page Tomblin and others for stepping in and picking up some of his responsibilities.
Personally I was sad to miss the chili fundraiser but many thank yous to the many who pitched in and for all the hard work and energy that was poured out to make it both a fun time and a success.
I am looking forward to being with you this coming Sunday − FINALLY! We will share in the sacrament of baptism as we bless Odin Bugge, his parents Amanda and Steven and a whole crew of their family. One of my favorite rituals!
Today, the day before thanks-giving, I celebrate our community of faith and the truth that if the only prayer we ever prayed in our entire life was thank you, it would be enough.
Thank YOU!
Blessings,
Rev. Laura
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