Almost in tangent with the cooler weather, light rains, and an assortment of thick cloud formations, November arrived right on time.  With windows now tightly closed, the air conditioner shut down, clocks locked squarely in standard time, our lives enter a transitional calendar period.  November is our month to settle and to sort out the many people who are or have accompanied us on our journey to date. 

What do I mean? Let’s briefly review the November calendar. The first day of November kicks off with the glorious feast of all saints. They heard the words of God as preached by Jesus and tried to live their meaning as best they could. On this day “with miles to go before we sleep” we cheer them on for making it.  

Of course we especially remember those special saints we knew personally. Insignificant except in God’s eyes, they lived God’s plan, loved others, and shared their gifts. And we are better persons because their paths crossed ours.   

On November 2, we remember those cherished, valued friends and family still in transit to eternity. We love these “souls of the just” for loving us, we pray that “chastened a little they be fully blessed” and find peace.  We recognize them for leaving a part of who they were with us who are still seeking the way. 

Later in the calendar comes Veterans day. On this day we recall and praise the many women and men, some  fondly and affectionately,  and others sadly and teary eyed. Courageously standing tall, Veterans bravely protected us allowing us to grow and fulfill our dreams safely and without harm. Some Veterans came home while many others lost that opportunity and now rest safely with those above.

Lastly, November gives the great opportunity to say the only words that make sense out of all these feasts: “Thank You!”  Not living isolated from one another or separated from each other by unconnected islands, the passage of time has shown us that making life’s  journey without the help, the love, and the generosity of others is almost impossible.

To celebrate this need for others, Thanksgiving with its turkey, sweet and mashed potatoes, multiple pies, pumpkins, sauces, warm laughter, smiles, multi-told stories, family, assorted beverages, a few disagreements, never ending hugs, is still the sacred day when almost every American bows heads and says, O Lord thank you for this day and especially for treasures I so often overlook!

In different ways our dinner conversation may speak these or similar words:

Lord, it’s great to be alive, even with this pandemic, the confusing vaccines, our bizarre leaders, climate change, crazy politics, our many problems, my bad health, we are grateful that you still love us Lord, and have not walked away from us.  From the height of the chairs around our table, we see clearly that we are not perfect.

In fact, Lord, everyone sitting here can trace his or her origin from another place.  At this Thanksgiving table fashion us more accepting and realize that we are all pilgrims on a journey back to the God who created us. Amen

On this Thanksgiving Day, may God be gracious and bless us.

O God, let your face always shine on us, so your ways may be

known upon our fertile nation. O Lord, let your peoples praise You.

Amen

 Painting by: R.W. Goetting