Where did the month go?

Beside the fact that the passing of time freaks me out to the bone ... I know my months are filled with wonderful things, even if I can't bring them all to mind. So in an effort to remember, I'm going to reflect on this month. I'm excited to see what I remember most and what I don't.

- November began with our anniversary. (On our way home, I saw Milwaukee for the first time.)
- Pumpkin bread pudding entered my life this month. No pretty picture on a plate, we ate it straight out of the pan.
- John and Glenna hosted a "tamale tuesday."
- There were plenty of invigorating retreats, meetings and formations for work, which got my mind swirling.
- We were in Michigan twice. The first to see Brian in his musical (breathtaking) and the second time for - Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday of all).
- It took us twice the time it usually takes to drive to Michigan for the holiday.
- We spent plenty of time with grandma and grandpa.
- We dined high-class with friends downtown.
- Food poisoning hit Jake hard and we almost went to the hospital (no photos).
- Grandpa and a few friends did go to the hospital. Prayers abound.
- And November saw many lovely landscapes.

Farewell, November.

And thanks.

Intangible  T  h  a  n  k  s  .

#4. Grace.

I believe and know that Jesus paid the price of my human faults.
I believe Jesus is all I need, He is my way to eternity with God.
I know, as much as life sanctifies me, I will never be perfect.
I am so thankful God knows that, too.
I am thankful that I don't have to do anything or be anything, in order to be with my God. Our God extended His grace to forgive us, because He knew it was the only way.
Jesus paid it all.

"Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. 

No, you're already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. ...

When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets."

Colossians 2:11-15, The Message Bible

Intangible  T  h  a  n  k  s  .

#3. Access.


I am a white, middle-class, educated, citizen of the USA*. Some of that is due to hard work, some due to genetics and some due to the fact that I have access to resources.

I am only beginning to learn about what it means to be these things in our country, especially a city. There is a lot more to discover. Today, I know I am privileged, I have access to the world, and for that I am thankful.

I know that because of my demographics, I have a stronger voice than many others and I plan to use that voice to advocate. I don't wish I had more voice and access. But because this is the way things are, my gift of access is in debt to my brothers and sisters.

Cultural and ethnic natures are a rich contribution to our human family. I am so thankful for the things I learn from people who are different than me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

* I don't call anything that is specific to our nation American, because I feel like I'm excluding Canada and Latin America. It does slip out sometimes. And of course I don't judge those who use this phrase. It's a personal choice.

Intangible  T  h  a  n  k  s  .

#2. Encouragement to experiment and make mistakes with my job.


I work with an organization that leans heavy on learning, trying new things, discovering our talents (not deciding on them) and it's all lead by the Spirit.

Clearly, when they hired me, they were taking a chance and trusting God. And everyone continues to support me while I find my footing in ministry.

 These are very freeing things for me to experience. I tend to think there is one road, straight and narrow, and I darn well better find it, otherwise I'm lost and of no use to anyone. It's rather intimidating, and wrong.
So I am incredibly thankful to work with people who trust each other, pray for each other and encourage each other to try new things.

It also helps that InterVarsity employs the most fascinating, loving, talented people in the world. I really enjoy my time with them, while working or not:

Intangible  T  h  a  n  k  s  .

Seasonably, I'd like to celebrate some gratitude this week. And while it would be easy for me to list a multitude of tangible things I am thankful for (family, friends, my bed, my shoes, shampoo) I want to stretch myself a little. I'm going to reflect on the the invisible blessings in my life. Beginning with numero uno.

#1. When people trust me with their secrets.


My entire life I've been entrusted with secrets. I'm not sure how people come to trust me, but they do, and I am so thankful. Sometimes I feel like a walking safe--a world exists inside my knowledge that nobody else has a hint about.

Sure, it feels good to be the one people trust. I'm just glad when anyone has someone.
And the really best part is when my friends are done sharing their story, they pause and look at me and ask me to keep this, I smile and nod of course and a little wave relaxes over their face. For a few seconds right there, something wonderful is spinning slowly and security is gentle.

One secret, finding its hiding place where it can rest and breathe, that is the sign of something good.