Blessed God of all journeys, grant Your blessings on those of our dear readers who will travel this week; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our texts for this week will lead us to Thanksgiving Day. Today's comes from John 6:25 When they found him back across the sea, they said, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" 26 Jesus answered, "You've come looking for me not because you saw God in my actions but because I fed you, filled your stomachs - and for free. 27 "Don't waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last." 28 To that they said, "Well, what do we do then to get in on God's works?" 29 Jesus said, "Throw your lot in with the One that God has sent. That kind of a commitment gets you in on God's works." 30 They waffled: "Why don't you give us a clue about who you are, just a hint of what's going on? When we see what's up, we'll commit ourselves. Show us what you can do. 31 Moses fed our ancestors with bread in the desert. It says so in the Scriptures: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32 Jesus responded, "The real significance of that Scripture is not that Moses gave you bread from heaven but that my Father is right now offering you bread from heaven, the real bread. 33 The Bread of God came down out of heaven and is giving life to the world." 34 They jumped at that: "Master, give us this bread, now and forever!" 35 Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. (The Message Version)
My wife should have taken the turkey down yesterday! But I know what she'll do. She's taken it down and put it in the fridge to thaw in there and if it's not quite ready, it'll go into water and there the thaw will go faster. We're blessed in that this year the turkey came to us from our son-in-law. He works at a grocery store who provides free turkeys for employees. He chose the biggest one he could find! I thank God we didn't have to battle the crowds by the turkey freezer section! You've probably already noticed if you've been to your grocery store, that the crowds are huge. If you haven't, get ready, you know what you're in for! This is the week for food. One comedian said, "What the difference, we as Americans always eat a lot! It's like we didn't even try to come up with something different for a day in which we give thanks?" Yes, Thanksgiving for many, has become a day for food. And what Jesus shares in this text gets to the heart of the matter even back then. Some of the crowds following Jesus were in it for the food. Jesus tells them and us that we should seek the food that nourishes our soul.
This day was set apart as a day in which a grateful nation can give thanks to God. It is a day to pause and count all the blessings we have received and then to spend time actually giving thanks. The second emphasis is being with people we love. Many will travel to be with parents and grandparents as a time to enjoy each other and to thank God for each other. Remember that in our midst this week and especially on Thursday, we have present He who is the Bread of Life. May He see that we are about gratitude for all that God has shared with us.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to pace myself even with the self-imposed stress and worry about this week. Help me remember it is not about my house being presentable or "ready;" it is about my heart being ready to love all who come to be with me or with me as I visit others for this special day. Let me get ahead and thank You now for all that You have bestowed upon me. You're a loving God and You provide all good things for us. Keep me mindful of those who do not have as much as me, and help me to share. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
