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By Susan Passi-Klaus*
1:00 P.M. EST Nov. 24, 2010
With Thanksgiving literally on the table this week, it seems everyone
has gratitude on their emotional radar. And though it may seem a little
odd that we need a holiday to remind us to be grateful for all we’ve
been given, one United Methodist pastor thinks an annual November nudge
might be a good thing.
“Lots of us find benefits in reminders,” said Brian Hardesty-Crouch, president of HolyMoments.org
and a faculty member at Heartpaths Spirituality Centre. “I wonder if we
forget to look for the good God is doing everyday and if the holiday
doesn’t just remind us to do that.”
However, Hardesty-Crouch believes taking the time to step back,
assess what is good about our lives and count blessings is important
whether things are going well or not.
“It’s real that the holidays are not always happy,” he said. “In the
hardest times, I’ve had to count on God’s grace and look for the
signposts of that—whether it’s a smile or a phone call or just
acceptance that life is hard right now. We don’t always have to feel
happy like the songs they play at the mall.”
The Rev. Brian Hardesty-Crouch
God’s love, said the pastor, is not conditional on our circumstances
and whether we’re feeling great or challenged. “I want to grow in my
love with God whether things seem to be going well or not,” he said.
“Thankfulness points me to God to remember all that God gives, but I
don’t want the level of stuff I have received or not received to be the
test of how much God loves me.”
Perhaps, said Hardesty-Crouch, it’s worth thinking of the holidays as “holy days.”
“That way even if we don’t necessarily feel happy about the holidays, we can still find a holy experience.”
The gift of God’s love and grace
When we asked some United Methodists to share what they are grateful
for this Thanksgiving, their responses echoed Hardesty-Crouch’s words.
The blessings of family, friends and, most of all, God’s love topped
their lists:
Gilbert Lovell
Franklin, Tenn., Christ United Methodist Church
Thankfulness is my response to all God has done for me and those I
love. I am blessed beyond my needs and expectations. The love that
surrounds me from my family, my church family and other friends is my
inspiration to love more. I am thankful for the humor in life and for
the compassion people have for each other, especially in times of crisis
and pain. This Thanksgiving I am particularly thankful for those who
have pointed me to the reality of abundant life through faith. So I’ll
put that blessing at the top of the list and be thankful and faithful.
Moana Zamora
Augusta, Ga., Liberty United Methodist Church (Hephzibah, Ga.)
I am thankful for my husband, who returned from his combat tour from
Afghanistan in April this year, as well as my stepfather. I am thankful
for those soldiers and veterans, past and present, who have laid down
their lives and sacrificed on our behalf every day. I am thankful to
have a beautiful, caring daughter whose heart is bigger than this great
nation. I am thankful to the family and friends who have supported me
and stuck by me in my darkest hours. And I am also thankful for the
struggles and dark hours I had to live through to make me a stronger
mother and person. Last but not least, I am thankful to the Lord; for
without Him, I would not have these precious gifts and blessings. The
struggles are blessings in disguise and without them, the good times
wouldn’t be as sweet. Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i (Happy Thanksgiving) &
Ke Akua Ho'omaika'i Oe (God Bless you).
“Thankfulness is my response to all God has done for me and those I love.”
— Gilbert Lovell
Marshall Bailey
Midlothian, Va., Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church
As we move into the holiday season, I find myself often reflecting on
the things that are important to me and that make me smile day to day. I
have good health, a wonderful girlfriend, friends and family that love
me, and an overall good life. As I reflect on all that I have, I am
reminded and humbled by the fact that God has blessed me and provided me
with the opportunities that make me smile at the end of each day.
Sandy Calder
Randolph, Neb., First United Methodist Church
My family; God has given me the most wonderful family. My church
family, who has always made me feel welcome and loved and supported.
Every morning I wake up. My ability to see His beautiful creations. My
Savior, Jesus Christ and the promise of a life with Him for eternity.
The fact that God has always been with me and my family; I am never
alone. I am thankful that I was born in a country as wonderful as the
United States. For love, forgiveness and grace.
Debbie Boring Hudson
Lenoir City, Tenn., Martel United Methodist Church
I have so many things to be thankful for this year. I am thankful for
my stepson’s safe and early return from Iraq; for my three beautiful
daughters and their husbands; for my three handsome stepsons and their
wives; and for my five grandkids, having a wonderful husband, having a
job and having a God that is always there for us.
Max G. Mahaffee
Johns Island, S.C., Bethel United Methodist Church (Charleston, S.C.)
“I am thankful to the
family and friends who
have supported me and
stuck by me even in my darkest hours.”
— Moana Zamora
I am grateful this year most for friends (including my many church
friends) and for family. My 95-year-old mother, Lillian Knight Mahaffee,
passed away on October 28, 2010. It was only through the support,
prayers, and gifts of time [of my friends] that I am getting through
this. A member (Sid) of my church came to the funeral home and to the
funeral, which was held on a Monday. When I thanked him for all of this
after the funeral services, his response was something like, "We don't
really need our friends when times are good. It is times like this that
they are needed." This thought has stuck with me and supported me.
Another member of the church (George) sent a wonderful sympathy card
that said, "God never promised us a life without pain; only that He
would always be there." This too is something for which I am thankful.
Gwendolyn Ebron
Philadelphia, Pa., Tindley Temple United Methodist Church
I’m thankful because I know more than ever before that I am loved and
cherished by God, and that His purpose and will for my life is the best
for me. I’m also thankful that I have had an opportunity to work. I am
thankful to see my husband grow in the Lord, our son walk closer with
the Lord, and other family members making sincere efforts to walk with
the Lord. Finally, I am thankful for everything, and that we have all
been blessed to see one more year to be thankful.
Cheryl Hicks
Albuquerque, N.M., Trinity United Methodist Church
This day I am thankful for all the broken places in my life, and
there have been many throughout my 63 years. Because without the many
tragedies and losses and injuries and sicknesses — and so many other
'trials and tribulations,’ — I would never have had the opportunity to
experience the truly miraculous healing power of my faith in the Lord.
His love for me has been proven on so many occasions: indirectly through
the fervent and often unsolicited prayers of others; via the ears and
shoulders of special friends who have selflessly endured my pitiful
cries of 'unfair!'; and personally, in His patient way of waiting for me
to give up, get out of the way, and give in to allowing His saving
grace to work in my life, in my heart, and in my loved ones. I am
grateful to have God's message imprinted upon my heart, but I am more
thankful when my heart has broken places, and truly allows God to "fall
in." Thanks, Lord!
*Passi-Klaus is a staff writer on the Public Information Team at United Methodist Communications.
Contact: Press Center, (615) 742-5406 or presscenter@umcom.org.
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