Being Thankful for the Small and Strange

November is here, and that means that my thoughts have turned to one of my favorite holidays... Thanksgiving. I know everyone else likes Christmas best. But, Thanksgiving has always been a favorite of mine. There is no pressure to buy people gifts that they don't want or need. There is no need to dress in costume or hang lots of lights or anything like that. Thanksgiving is about spending time with people you love, enjoying a meal together, and being thankful.

And so, during the month of November, I think it's important to spend time being thankful. We need to be thankful for what God has done, not just on Thanksgiving day, but be thankful always. And so, here are this week's passages to inspire thankful hearts...

Ruth 1:19-21 & 4:13-17
Mark 12:38-44
Hebrews 9:24-28

It isn't really much of a list. Actually, these passages have more to do with how miserable life can be, and not how to be thankful.

The first part of the story from the book of Ruth is about tragedy. A famine caused Naomi's family to move to Moab. Something happened in Moab so that her husband, and two sons both died. While it may have been a blessing that Ruth stayed by her side, she still had no way to provide for herself or her daughter-in-law. She changes her name from Naomi (meaning that is pleasant) to Mara (meaning that is bitter). Life is very difficult for her.

The Mark passage doesn't have much cheer either. Jesus criticizes the well respected scribes for putting on a show of holiness, but instead actually doing much harm to the widows. Everything they do is "for the sake of appearance." The only person who doesn't put on airs is a very, very poor woman who puts into the temple treasury all she has to live on. It is a sad picture-- this lonely widow, putting in ALL the money she has to live on. How can she be thankful now that she has no money?

Finally, we have the passage from Hebrews. This passage contains much good news, but the text focuses around the sacrifice of Christ. It is easy to look at death by crucifixion as a great tragedy. And it was not easy (at first) to find anything to be thankful for about such terrible suffering and shame.

Each of these stories contain difficult and depressing images. At first glance, there's not much for which we can be thankful. But...

We know that the story of Naomi and Ruth has a great ending. Better than either of them could have ever imagined.

Similarly, the widow in the temple does not leave in shame because she could only put in two coins. Instead, she leaves with the praise and accolades from Jesus. Her act of faith and courage does not go unnoticed.

Lastly, we know that while there was great shame in the crucifixion, there was also redemption and resurrection. God transformed the shame of the cross into glory so that now Jesus is our great high priest. He speaks directly to God and intercedes for us. His sacrifice was once for all for the sins of the world. And, he has promised to return to those who are eagerly waiting for him.

God invites us to share in a secret. The people that the world quickly dismisses, are not quickly dismissed by God. God walks with us (as Ruth walked with Naomi) in the midst of our sorrow. Not only that, but God can bring redemption and rejoicing even in the midst of the worst tragedies.

This Thanksgiving, do not let your grief and sorrow overwhelm you. Instead, ask God to help you be thankful for the "small and strange." Ask God to help you find ways to rejoice even in the midst of deep pain.

Questions for reflection...

When have you had the opportunity to give thanks for something small and strange?

Has God ever turned your tragedy into something greater?