Thank God for the inside gifts...

"I will give thanks to your name,
Because of your kindness and your truth.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me."
Psalm 138

As we near our feast of thanksgiving, there are a couple of things that strike me.  First, it seems ironic that we pause (so briefly) to give thanks for all we have before we tear out the door in the middle of the night to buy more stuff (!)  And second, we give thanks for the goods we have, but do we stop to think about the more important gifts God gives, such as strength?  I believe that God's interaction with us happens within us.  To me, God doesn't manipulate the events of our lives as much as God builds us up from the inside so we can cope with the events of our lives. Many ask where God is during tragedies we experience and I believe God weeps with us through the tragedies and gifts us with the strength to endure. God's gift to us of our own free will can wreak havoc in the world and that is when God works within us, gives us strength and spreads kindness and truth through us.  So, as we think about and thank God for our many gifts, let's especially think of the inside gifts God generously gives to us. God gives us the strength we need to cope with the results of our own free will and that may be the best gift of all!  Blessings to all as you gather this week!  See you Monday!  Love, heidi