Pastor's Corner: Being thankful

As the month of September is getting closer, our thoughts often go to the “normal” events of the fall season, such as school, gathering around a table of food with family and friends at Thanksgiving, football games galore, and, hopefully, a good dose of an attitude of gratitude! This time we’re in right now has certainly changed our perspective on the time of year and the normal events we enjoy.

Although it’s hard to duplicate special seasons and days like Thanksgiving, we can certainly try to be thankful all year long. According to the words of Psalm 100:4-5, we can be thankful by:

Being grateful to the Lord and praising his name (verse 4). Think of all of the things you’re thankful for, such as family, friends, work, health, a home, etc. We can also praise the name of the Lord, which reminds us that in the name of Jesus we find salvation, hope, identity and strength. What a great God we serve!

By remembering his goodness, love and faithfulness towards us (verse 5). The Lord always acts out of goodness to care for us, and his love ultimately provided what we needed in Jesus. His faithfulness is a quality we can always count on through the many changes that come in life as we mark the years of various celebrations.

Let me encourage you to be thankful each day as you remember God’s name, goodness, love and faithfulness and may this unique time be a good reminder to do just that!

Pat Coyle is pastor of Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church