Thanksgiving

"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich. It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements in comparison with that of others." [Dietrich Bonhoeffer]

This weekend we are celebrating all that we are thankful for. At this time of Harvest Thanksgiving we are brought to a place of gratitude for all that is given to us and all that is done for us. That sense of gratitude is what Bonhoeffer was referring to in the above quote. Our richness can only really be measured in our gratitude. We all seem a little self absorbed from time to time and we forget very easily humility and gratitude. We indeed, overestimate our own importance.

This weekend has been a great chance to say thanks. Saturday Dad and Mom, Myself and Catherinanne and Adam Charlton were able to enjoy the wonderful weather when we ventured to Thesiens Farm to go apple picking. There was a lot of joy in being able to reach up and just pick off a piece of fruit. Seems like no big deal right? Except – it was a vivid reminder to me of how fortunate we are to live in a region of our world where fruit grows so easily and with abundance. It was a day in God’s grace. We had so much fun – we picked 82 pounds of apples. We thoroughly enjoyed our day. Thank you Adam for coming with s and bringing your joy to the day.

Sunday was officially Harvest Thanksgiving at St. Mark’s by-the-Lake. It was a wonderful day at the church. The choir sang and absolutely wonderful anthem that brought so much to our liturgy.  Geoff Dibbs was the preacher and he did a marvellous job reminding us all of the need for courage to be a church wish evangelizes.  An important message the week before bring a friend Sunday. It was sad to say goodbye to Geoff and Margaret. They are leaving on Wednesday for Arizona for the winter and we will no doubt miss them immensely. We keep them in our prayers as they journey to their winter home and parish. We enjoyed Turkey last might with our neighbours and some other friends. We played some games afterward and we laughed so much. It left me with a great sense of gratitude for friends and family.

Today has been a slower day. I went to church with Catherinanne at St. Greg’s where I was treated to an excellent homily by Father Daniel Bombardier. It left me with a great sense of gratitude for faith and for church. I am so grateful for our church community of St. Mark’s by-the-Lake and for all of the fine people who live out their baptismal ministry here. The rest of today has been quite restful and has left me with a sense of gratitude for peace and Sabbath. It is always good to have a break.

Having Mom and Dad here has given me a great sense of gratitude for family. I have a great family in Newfoundland who are really the best. I have a wonderful wife and while we are just two – I could not be happier with my little family here and my extended family in her folks.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and let us all remember to have thankful hearts!