For the past few weeks, concluding at the end of this month, we have been looking at the promises of God as compiled by Max Lucado. According to Lucado, when we embrace these promises of truth within our lives, we develop Unshakeable Hope which can shore us up to be strong through adversities and worldly problems.
Admittedly, November is my favorite month. This is not due to any temperature fluctuation or the colors on the trees or the chance of snow in the air but it has everything to do with my anticipation for Thanksgiving. I love this holiday more than any others because all that is expected is good food and good fellowship. I love gathering, eating and story-telling (just a few of my favorite things). Although I can get giddy in my anticipation, I am fully aware there are many who face this day as though it were any other day; no special food, no family, and no stories to tell.
To those who face my favorite holiday alone I want to invite you to attend our Sunday worship service before Thanksgiving where we will conclude our Max Lucado series with God’s promise of coming joy as found in Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Actually, I invite everyone who needs to embrace this promise from God whether it be from the lack of holiday spirit or just from the weight of life dragging you down to join us, in person or virtually, to remember this promise from God.
This promise of joy comes because God loves each of us, even you. God loves us through the silence, through the chaos of our lives, in spite of our faults, and through our failures. GOD LOVES YOU. In that promise we will find joy. No food, no fellowship, no broken promises…just a God who loves to the depth of his being to the height of his creation, and to the width we cannot even envision.
As Max Lucado says… “Joy comes. Watch for it. Expect it as you would the morning sunrise or the evening twilight…Yes, weeping comes. It comes to all of us. Heartaches leave us with tear-streaked
faces and heavy hearts. Weeping comes. But so does joy. Darkness comes, but so does the morning. Sadness comes, but so does hope. Sorrow may have the night, but it cannot have our lives. Joy comes. Watch for it.”
Embrace God’s love for you and joy will embrace you. In this we can all give thanks!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
Pastor Linda’s Cell Phone: 585 330-0618
Pastor Linda’s Office e-mail: pastorlinda11@gmail.com