Let All Things Now Living
This week Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving, a day for family and friends to get together, eat good food, and give thanks. Living in Australia, it’s been 7 years since I’ve had green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce or home-made pumpkin pie.
But while I don’t celebrate the holiday, I like to honour the spirit behind the day by reflecting back on the year and giving thanks for how God has blessed and worked in my life.
To be honest, 2019 was a challenging year. There were moments when I felt like quitting, moving, or simply running away to a solitary place where only ubereats deliveries were allowed. At times I felt like I had failed as a parent, wife, pastor, daughter, friend, or as a human being. Half way through the year I wondered how I would get through 2019.
But in just 5 months so much changed. God brought to life a valley of dry bones. And I am left simply grateful.
I’m thankful that after 3.5 years, Joshua is finally sleeping through the night for the first time in his life. Even until a month ago, he would take 1-1.5 hours to fall asleep and would wake up 2-4 times as night. Now, he puts himself to bed and doesn’t wake us up until morning.
I’m thankful that 6 people were baptised this year into our church, and that 12 people joined through profession of faith / membership transfers.
I’m thankful that my dad is cancer-free and that I got to see him, my mum, sister, brother-in-law and adorable nephew in Hawaii.
I’m thankful that we could afford to spend 10 days in Hawaii and eat so much mochi, mango, and pineapple ice cream.
I’m thankful for friends who are like family.
I’m thankful for a church community full of such kind and generous people who help look after me and my family.
I’m thankful to live in Melbourne, as an Australian citizen with all its privileges.
I’m thankful that my husband and I still love working together, playing together, and praying together.
I’m thankful that Micah is learning how to read, write, and count – but more importantly, that he is learning how to be considerate, compassionate, and self-controlled.
I’m thankful for cuddles.
I’m thankful for a job that challenges, inspires, and rewards – and a calling that requires me to be authentic and conscientious 24/7.
I’m thankful that when I fail, God heals, restores, forgives, and strengthens me to try again.
Perhaps 2019 was a difficult year for you, too. Perhaps you have yet to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yet I hope you can find in the breath that fills your lungs a reason to be grateful –
For the present is a gift that should not be taken for granted.
“Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God the creator triumphantly raise.
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
Who still guides us on to the end of our days.
His banners are o’er us, His light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night.
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished
As forward we travel from light into light.
His law he enforces, the stars in their courses
And sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
The deeps of the ocean proclaim him divine.
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;
With glad adoration a song let us raise
Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
“To God in the highest, Hosanna and praise!” Amen.
Words: Katherine K. Davis
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14