Giving thanks
Dear Friends,
A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of being part of a small gathering of Anglican ministers. I was very much the ‘baby’ there, as I haven’t (quite) reached the age of fifty – which is the qualifying landmark!
One of the gems I picked up was from another minister who mentioned that he likes to thank God for something specific each day, and that on Monday mornings it was the second coming, and the fact that Jesus would finally put everything right. He added that Jesus’ return somehow felt particularly appealing on a Monday morning!
It made me think how the rest of ‘a week of thanksgiving’ might pan. Sunday, obviously, would be reserved for the resurrection. Friday, because of Good Friday, would be for the cross. Although out of sequence, Saturday might be spent giving thanks for the Holy Spirit. Then Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday could be used for thanking God for creation, the church and the scriptures.
That list leaves plenty of gaps, and there must be better ways to order things, but it seems a good place to start. At least it will mean I thank God for the big things he has done, and not only for the smaller me-centred things he has given. And it might help me to obey the frequent Bible instructions to pray “with thanksgiving” (for example Philippians 4:6). Anyway, I’m going to give it a go…
Chris Hobbs
Vicar