Rhemalogy

As 2022 comes to a close a lot of memories have crossed my mind. Many blogs were written and read. Powerful Prayers, Verses of the Day, Miscellaneous Minds, and Just A Thought—to name a few. While sifting through many posts last night first I want to say thank you to those of you who not only read the posts or put a like there but those of you who prayed for Bobbie and me. Although things don’t look as promising as I’d hoped, Bobbie is still here with us. This time last year he was just coming out of the ICU. We’ve survived his health scares so far this year, dodged two hurricanes by the grace of God, and were blessed to open our eyes this morning and see a brand new day!

Now I understand what the Apostle Paul meant when he said “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11KJV)

You may not be living in a mansion, but at least you have a roof over your head. Think of those families in southern Florida without homes who saw their roofs floating past them as the floods from hurricane Ian’s destruction swept them away. Your kids may not always be the greatest, but at least you are blessed to have them with you. Think of all the parents in Uvalde who will be heart-stricken this first Thanksgiving without their children at the dinner table. Or perhaps you don’t live in what is considered the greatest neighborhood, but at least you don’t have bombs blasting your homeland like those poor people in war-torn Ukraine. In all these just be content and above all be grateful.

I spoke with a pastoral friend of mine yesterday who was standing in line…

I spoke with a pastoral friend of mine yesterday who was standing in line passing out Thanksgiving meals to those less fortunate. And I remember running into a lady last year who was inviting any and everybody to her home for a deliciously prepared meal. Here another scripture comes to mind…And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40) Have we done for the least of these?

From an older post, I really want to drive this point home… As children of God, we are blessed to be a blessing. When life gives us extra blessings — whether it’s food, clothing, money, or whatever it is — the right thing to do is to share those blessings whenever and however you can. Let Jesus lead you and show you how you can share with others.

And I am truly thankful, grateful, and blessed! I am much better, in humility, realizing that a grand table on Thanksgiving Day is a blessing, but to be able to sit at that table with those you genuinely love is a much greater blessing due to our Father in heaven. Something we should never forget and give thanks just not for today, but every day—because life is short and we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. The pilgrims might have landed on Plymouth Rock but it is Jesus Christ who is the very foundation on which we stand.

Heavenly Father, for the laughter of the children, for my own life breath, for the abundance of food on this table, for the ones who prepared this sumptuous feast, for the roof over our heads, the clothes on our backs, for our health, and our wealth of blessings, for this opportunity to celebrate with family and friends, for the freedom to pray these words without fear, in any language, in any faith, in this great country, whose landscape is as vast and beautiful as her inhabitants. thank you, God, for giving us all these blessings. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from all of us here at rhemalogy.com! Blessings and Peace!

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(Photo of people in line receiving food by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Note: Prayer by Rabbi Naomi Levy