Goodness Grace

Thanks—giving. Maybe separating the words a little shows the heart of the celebration. Not Thanks-getting, but the giving of thanks.

Christmas is up in the stores before turkeys for the table are being shipped. We barely breathe in the aroma of our favorite foods before we hit the sales.

What would this year be like if we just slowed down a little? Long enough to remember what we are thankful for. The lists are long but we forget so easily.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6 NIV, uppercase mine)

No anxious thoughts about missing a good sale, no worries about food coming out just right, no ill feelings about a party not invited to. In everything talk to God, but remember to always thank Him first and then rattle off all those concerns. There’s a reward: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 NIV)

Peace of God – that sounds like a wonderful way to go into this celebration. Everyday is thanksgiving day – and when it truly is – then the special days are filled with peace. Regardless the chaos around us.

What is the peace? Goodness and grace – His goodness imparted to us by grace. Nothing to do to earn it, to keep it. Only an open hand to receive it. A hand that stays open so that the goodness and grace is given to another. The more you give it away the more you have. His abundance never runs out.

All this is so much easier said than done, but now, in this two short days before we sit with family or friends, before we rush into the holidays – this time is for you. In the offering up of the thanks the flowing down of peace can be ours. So let’s raise our eyes to the heavens and thank the One who loves us so much for the privilege of belonging to Him. In the quiet we will be transformed…