1 Thessalonians 3:9-10
9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
This is what Thanksgiving is about. We gather together as family and friends and share fellowship and food, and we are thankful that we have family, friends, and food. If we are not able to gather together, we give thanks for what we do have, even if it is only a meal.
The Apostle Paul shared his joy over the faith God had sent to the believers in Thessalonica, and his gratitude for the work they were doing for their community in the name of Jesus. He wanted to meet them in person, but was unable to at that time. How he longed to fellowship with them and hear their stories of faith. But he was unable to get there.
I am unable to gather with my family once again this year because of distance and time constraints. So, I pray that they will be joyful when they gather; I pray that they will eat the turkey leg in my stead; and I pray that they will be blessed by the fellowship they share. We will, in the meantime, share fellowship with new friends we have found here. We will meet new people, maybe eat a turkey leg, and give thanks for the ability to have this time when others will not.
As we gather in our groups this week, let’s remember that we are blessed to do so, and that many will eat alone. Let’s pray that we may all one day meet face to face at the great feast on the holy mountain of God, where there will be no more loneliness, crying, pain, or hunger because God will feed us from God’s very self.
Blessings to you this week.