A New Thanksgiving Pilgrimage

A New Thanksgiving Pilgrimage: Reflection on Deuteronomy 8: 7-18 by Rev. Dr. Lil Smith

The harvest is different
The table is bare
The recipe is half
not double this year

Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Love-filled

Covid-free, our plea

Covid has even disturbed the flow of my words emerging. From this place I struggle to give thanks. What about you?

Move over, Covid, there are so many things for which I am thankful. It is with God’s help and strength that I see beyond you, beyond the disappointment, beyond the fear, beyond the loss. It is here that I surrender the climate around me to stop and give thanks. It is here that I notice a sweetness that is simple and peaceful. It is here that I ask God’s blessing on your Thanksgiving. Simple and filled with peace.

Lil is director and co-founder of Retreat House. She is a trained spiritual director and supervisor. In the role of adjunct faculty, Lil facilitates the supervised practicum classes in the Perkins School of Theology Certification in Spiritual Direction and spiritual formation groups.

Listen to Rev. Dr. Lil Smith's Guided Meditation for Praying the Lectionary for Matthew 25:31-26.

Invitation

As you experience the practice of praying the lectionary, adopt a loving, caring and compassionate stance. If the end of your prayer and meditation time is not pointing to love and hope, there is more work to do. Keep wrestling. God is faithful to your journey. Love and hope will emerge. Be gentle with yourself and befriend any judgment that arises in you.

This excerpt was taken from a weekly meditation. To sign up to receive these, email us.

"So that we may live lives worthy of the Lord and please God in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."
- Rooted in Colossians 1:10