Years ago the Lutheran music group Dakota Road played at Joy. I’ve been enjoying their music ever since they wrote the theme song for the 1996 ELCA Youth Gathering. Their leader Larry Olson has a song that always comes to mind around this time of year, “Everyday is Thanksgiving”:
“Sometimes it's hard to be thankful.
Sometimes it's hard to be me.
Sometimes there's too much trouble here to handle.
But then your love breaks through my fear.
I know I'm blessed just to be here.”
We’re putting off our usual fall financial stewardship campaign until spring, but it’s worth considering not just what we’re willing and able to return to God’s mission through our financial contributions to Joy, but how much of what really belongs to God we can afford to keep to ourselves:
“Sometimes it's hard to be giving.
I'm afraid there'll be none left for me.
I do not give thanks in how I'm living.
But then your love breaks through my greed.
I know I'm blessed for those in need.”
On Thanksgiving many of us are able to gather with family or friends, or at least remember them and their love. Maybe more than any other holiday it has stayed truest to its original purpose: to remind us of all we have, and where it comes from.
“Everyday is Thanksgiving
Everyday is worth living 'cause I know you care.
Everyday is Thanksgiving when I remember that you love me.”
Pastor Jon
