From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
Earlier this year I found myself groaning as I read the news that the Brigden Fair, this area’s biggest fall extravaganza and annual rite of passage for all rural school children, had once again been cancelled due to COVID restrictions.
This is now the second year in a row that the historic Thanksgiving Day weekend fall fair has been nixed.
It really took the wind out of my sails.
But then I began to think about a whole lot of other stuff.
I thought of small business owners who have been buckling under the load of the lockdowns during the pandemic and desperately trying to survive.
I thought of parents who were forced to grapple with the challenging task of facilitating the education of their children online at home, many of whom had to work around job commitments.
I thought of overworked hospital and long-term care staff who soldiered on despite frayed nerves and precious little sleep.
Then there were all those grieving families who had to either postpone funeral services or else make do with an extremely limited gathering.
The same limitations tied the hands of happy couples trying to have a wedding celebration but forced to trim back their guest list significantly.
The list could go on and on.
Finally, I thought of the words of Scripture in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
That verse does NOT say to give thanks FOR all circumstances, but rather to have gratitude IN all circumstances.
When we put our lives in perspective, and that includes Thanksgiving weekend, we can always find ways to be thankful.
Let’s do that this weekend!
