| Deacon Anne Lecroy |
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If the only prayer you ever say in your life is “thank you” that
would suffice.
Meister Eckhart
I was in the local RITE-AID drug (etc) store in mid-October and
saw , of course, the various masks, costumes, wigs and fright
objects (a skull, a monster outfit, a cat that would howl horribly if
one squeezed it in the right place) and lots or Trick or Treat
goodies. A few aisles away were Christmas cards, light strings,
tinsel, icicles, wraps, and directions to get to the cologne
counter (for Mom) and the bath counter (for Dad, I think). I
wandered on and came upon a sales person busily unpacking
Valentine’s cards and other tokens of “Be mine, my love.”
“Isn’t it sort of early to be doing Valentine goodies?” I asked.
“Oh. No…people like to buy early…while they still have some
money for the rest of the year.” I think I understood – BE
PREPARED!
But what happened to Thanksgiving – lost in the drive to
celebrate All Souls, the Nativity, and that February 14 whose
source no one has ever really tracked down to the specific Saint
Valentinus? When do we say “thank you” honestly meant and
sincerely spoken – not just a trite two-word automatic
response? When do we mean “thank you” for another person,
for a kind word or two, for a special unexpected gift…and “thank
you” to our God for His Son and for the Spirit, and for the
promise of eternal life in the sight of God and the Son?
What is each of us especially thankful for this year? An act,
some comforting words, a compliment, help with a tiresome but
necessary task, a prayer…
My thanks: for the love that is at St. Timothy’s – not only on
Sunday morning, but that I feel so often when I am working in
the office; that seems to be present as Kristin and I carry on
separate jobs and I think of how much she does to help the
congregation…and how much our little congregation does in the
community and in our fellowship. Francis of Assisi would feel at
home here. “Surely the Lord is in this place; this is none other
than the house of God.”
As we move toward All Saints and All Souls at the beginning of
November, and on to that day of Thanks at the close, can we
really say to one another and to God those words Meister
Eckhart says “will suffice”?
[Hint: for the December Crosstalk write a special “thank you” for
something unexpected and really welcome. It can be signed or
anonymous.]
would suffice.
Meister Eckhart
I was in the local RITE-AID drug (etc) store in mid-October and
saw , of course, the various masks, costumes, wigs and fright
objects (a skull, a monster outfit, a cat that would howl horribly if
one squeezed it in the right place) and lots or Trick or Treat
goodies. A few aisles away were Christmas cards, light strings,
tinsel, icicles, wraps, and directions to get to the cologne
counter (for Mom) and the bath counter (for Dad, I think). I
wandered on and came upon a sales person busily unpacking
Valentine’s cards and other tokens of “Be mine, my love.”
“Isn’t it sort of early to be doing Valentine goodies?” I asked.
“Oh. No…people like to buy early…while they still have some
money for the rest of the year.” I think I understood – BE
PREPARED!
But what happened to Thanksgiving – lost in the drive to
celebrate All Souls, the Nativity, and that February 14 whose
source no one has ever really tracked down to the specific Saint
Valentinus? When do we say “thank you” honestly meant and
sincerely spoken – not just a trite two-word automatic
response? When do we mean “thank you” for another person,
for a kind word or two, for a special unexpected gift…and “thank
you” to our God for His Son and for the Spirit, and for the
promise of eternal life in the sight of God and the Son?
What is each of us especially thankful for this year? An act,
some comforting words, a compliment, help with a tiresome but
necessary task, a prayer…
My thanks: for the love that is at St. Timothy’s – not only on
Sunday morning, but that I feel so often when I am working in
the office; that seems to be present as Kristin and I carry on
separate jobs and I think of how much she does to help the
congregation…and how much our little congregation does in the
community and in our fellowship. Francis of Assisi would feel at
home here. “Surely the Lord is in this place; this is none other
than the house of God.”
As we move toward All Saints and All Souls at the beginning of
November, and on to that day of Thanks at the close, can we
really say to one another and to God those words Meister
Eckhart says “will suffice”?
[Hint: for the December Crosstalk write a special “thank you” for
something unexpected and really welcome. It can be signed or
anonymous.]
| Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church Kingsport, Tennessee (423) 247 - 3992 |