Thanksgiving Shoes

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done." (2 Chronicles 16:8)

This year I put on my "Thanksgiving Shoes" with greater gusto and joy than in some years. The simple reason is illustrated in the above photograph. All five of my wonderful children as well as my two bonus children (in-laws) were in our home from Wednesday through Sunday afternoon! Our house was as stuffed as the turkey I roasted on Thanksgiving Day. For a glorious five days there were more dishes in the sink, extra shoes by the door, more food to prepare, games to play, family movies to watch, lots of laughter and extra hugs. Simply put, it was heaven on earth!

As on previous Thanksgivings, our family took the time after dinner to share what we were especially thankful for as we reflected on the past year. Several themes began to emerge as we shared around the table. The first included expressions of thanks for various relationships: family, husband-wife, friends. The second featured testimonials to God's provision and faithfulness. Among these were employment,  places to live, scholarships, internships, and new church families. Together our family rejoiced and thanked God from whom ALL blessings flow.

In the NIV Bible there are 150 references using some form of the word "thank". We are instructed to thank God with our offerings, for others, using a harp, with choirs, in song, with shouts, for God's goodness, to Jesus Christ our Lord, and in all circumstances. Once we start down the road of Thanksgiving we will find that the road has no end! There is always one more thing to add to the list. Along the road, another discovery will be made as well. As we give thanks, our attitude about everything begins to change. Giving thanks recognizes God's continual work in our lives, reminding us that he is always there, always knowing, always loving, always faithful. Thank you God.

" Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness endures through all generations. (Psalm 100: 4-5)

Friendship Shoes

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17)

There is a common axiom frequently expressed in gatherings of pastors and their wives : "One cannot have true friends within one's own congregation." As a young PW I refused to agree. "Our experience will be different," I thought. The years of ministry passed and I began to understand the reason for the axiom. My heart did not want to agree, but my mind had to face the facts.

And what were the facts? During our time of ministry we experienced abandonment and betrayal. Friends chose to leave the church. At an especially difficult time I confided with one I considered a friend only to learn that my confidence had been shared with another. The result of this betrayed confidence was a biting email written to my already beleaguered husband and the closing of my heart to any intimate friendship. Too much pain. Finally, my husband was wrongly treated by one who had described him to be "like a brother". Result? Twenty-five years of ministry at the same church ended. The common axiom rang true.

Thankfully, the story does not end here. A ray of light pierces through the pain. I have a friend - a sister who was born for adversity and understands the job. As my husband and I endured the tragedy of being  ripped away from a church where we had given of our hearts, our time, and our energy, there was a friend in whom I could confide. I'm not talking about our blessed friend Jesus - I'm talking about an earthly friend. This earthly friend provided a sounding board for me. She prayed with me, called me to see how I was, and encouraged me. She kept her word to not share with others what I had shared with her. More than a year later, she continues in the work of a true friend.

Dear sisters, if you are a PW please be careful before you wear friendship shoes. Be aware that you may be hurt. Observe the character of those around you and choose carefully. Once you have found a friend, wear your shoes proudly and with gratitude. Be the friend you desire her to be. Such a friend is rare. Enjoy the blessing! If you are not a PW, consider being a friend to one. Be willing to persevere and not demand. Listen and keep your tongue from gossip. Be ready to pray at a moment's notice. When adversity comes, stay on the job.

In closing I want to thank my dear sister in Christ. You know who you are, and I want you to know of my gratitude. You are a gift from God and I am greatly blessed.

Museum Shoes

"Then Moses said to the Israelites, 'See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri,the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahismach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers - all of them master craftsman and designers....' (Exodus 35: 30-35)

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to view some of the work of the seventeenth century Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn. The exhibit was entitled: "Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus" and was the first exhibit of the artist since 1932. The museum had never before displayed the series of paintings depicting the face of Christ. Etchings and drawings by the artist were also on display - all with the focus upon one subject: Jesus.

I purchased my ticket and eagerly took my place at the end of a long line. The entrance and exit of visitors was carefully controlled and monitored. While in line I received a set of headphones to enable me to hear commentary about the exhibit. Finally, it was my turn to enter the exhibit area. I turned on the headphones.

As I looked and listened, tears came to my eyes. The commentator spoke of the life of Christ, quoting directly from the Bible. Passages discussing sin, Christ's miraculous healing work, and His resurrection were not ignored. They were stated as factual information.

I slowly walked through the exhibit, taking time to move within inches of the various etchings and paintings. The details and energy of the lines was beautiful. The use of light and the portrayal of Christ? Glorious! My heart was encouraged with the mastery on display.

Driving home later that day I continued to marvel at the exhibit. Lines of visitors came and stood patiently to see Rembrandt's work. Why? Rembrandt was "filled with skill and knowledge of all kinds of crafts" given to him by the greatest of all creators - God. Rembrandt used his artistic skills to the fullest and as a result God was glorified. Hundreds of years later, God continues to be honored and glorified by Rembrandt's artistic genius.

Dear sisters if you are skilled with "knowledge of all crafts", do not minimize those gifts! Use them. Develop them. Work at them. Enjoy them. They have been given to you by God. Glorify Him by using the skills given to you. May others see your work and glorify our Father - even hundreds of years from now!