Thankful

Matthew 15:35-37 Jesus had authority over the crowds and commanded them to sit. That image of all these people sitting to listen to the Bread of Life. there is this rhythm to the bread in the passages I’m in today. He took the bread. He gave thanks. Broke it. And shared it.

Luke 22:14-20 the last supper. He begins the meal by sharing his love for them by “..fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” The horrific news that he would suffer coupled with his love for his disciples. He gives thanks. He has the cup and he shares this with them. He knew what was coming, they did not. He gives thanks.

Verse 16 and verse 18 speaks of the kingdom of God. He would not eat or drink until the kingdom comes, until all is fulfilled in the kingdom. I need to think more on this. Verse 19 is the same rhythm as in Matthew 15. took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it. When the word of God repeats, we pay attention. this is what Jesus did, not just for bread but for what is to come.

Can i give thanks when the road before me looks rough? I have, right here, asked the wrong question. I am looking ahead and deciding that I know what is to come. There is only one who knows the next day, next week and next year. I have placed my focus on times that are out of my control.

In walking with my family through the deaths of my grandparents, I remember this thought. I remember thinking, there will come a day when we do this with my parents. And we are here with my dad, but it did no good to ponder this and worry. Nothing could have prepared me for this with my dad, except growing in the knowledge and grace of Jesus.

Today, I wake up in pain and grogginess and I lay in bed longer. This week I have needed that. The thing, for me, is to remember where my hope is found. My hope and security are not found in answers on this earth. I want my head to be filled with the knowledge and discernment only found in God. That is not a platitude. It is hard fought, dig in, grabbing hold kind of grit. It means letting my trust be in my Creator and friend. All of this sounds like wrestling to me, and sometimes it really is just that. In the end, though, I know I am a partaken of grace (Philippians 1:6-8)

“I thank my God every time I remember you, in all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel, from the first day, until now. I am confident of this very thing. That he who began a good work in you with carry it until completion in the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:1-6

A spirit of thanksgiving infused Paul’s writing. Thanking God for people in his life. Seeing how God is moving in their lives. And I remember that this book was written while he was in chains, yet this entire book is infused with joy.

“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers; [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son].”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Let us put all of our hope, trust, and faith in the Lord. It’s not found in doctors or politicians. Just HIM. Everything else pales in comparison.