The story of Israel’s move from slavery in Egypt to the edge of the Promised land is told in the Biblical books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. After forty years in the wilderness, they were finally ready to move into the land of promise.

But, Moses will not be going with them.  There is much he wants to share of who God is, and what God has done. God has freed the people from slavery, brought the Israelites  to the land of milk and honey, been  there throughout  their journey, and will be with them in the future. God has instructed, guided and led this people.    Moses implores the people to have a sense of gratitude, for all God has done and will be doing for them.

As Moses prepares to leave them, he says, “The Lord your God is bringing you to a good land, a land with streams and springs . . . When you have plenty to eat . . . , do not become proud and forget the Lord your God who brought you out of slavery . . . nor must you say to yourselves, ‘My own strength and energy have gained me this wealth,’ but remember the Lord your God . . . it is God who gives you the strength to become prosperous.” Deuteronomy 8 (portions)

In this season of Thanksgiving we too are called To remember those crossroads where trials and hope intersected, and God spoke life into our brokenness.

• To remember the day our life closed in around us and we saw no way out. Despair overwhelmed us, then God broke in  and helped us to pick up the pieces of our life.

• To remember how our hearts broke with grief. Our world fell apart, we were absolutely certain all light and joy in our life was gone forever. But God’s light penetrated our darkness. We discovered God had a way for us, when there was no way.

• To remember how the shadows fell and we felt immobilized by fear, doubt, failure and shame. Then God lifted us up, beyond that painful stagnant place. God opened doors of healing for our spirit and our soul. God brought new life.

Thanksgiving is a time to pause, to remember lest we forget who it was that moved the mountains in our path, took us by the hand, consoled us and comforted us.

As you walk through this week of Thanksgiving, may you remember the blessings in your life. May you give thanks to God who journeys with you. This day and forever. 

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17