Thanksgiving Expansion

Tap…tap…tap…with the tongs.  As the solution ripples in the tray, I await a giant photo.  I need a picture to answer the simple question from the Lord—“What are you thankful for?”

A video parades through my mind instead—family and friends sharing traditional dinners, board games, sporting events, prayer meetings, picnics, worship services, weddings, funerals... Yet I sense caution.  My heart moves to the Lord’s faithful provision.  I walk the halls of the homes He’s provided, warming at the memories of our children growing before our eyes.  Co-workers with whom I’ve teamed in businesses, churches, and charities greet me with enthusiasm.  Our kids’ sandcastles spring up in the summer breezes on the Oregon Coast, Doc’s golf ball soars to the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies, and I hear his voice in prayer as our tin-can rental car buzzes across rolling farmlands in France.

Cultivating a thankful heart is both spiritual discipline and delight.  Yet a pervading thought arises:  I must avoid being stuck here in reverie—even idolatry—in my focus on people, places and things.

 Have you ever experienced that sensation where you know God is about to do a work inside you so you’d better brace yourself?  The anticipation is palpable—eagerness laced with a bit of reverent fear.  With an impending life change of long-term residence in France, spiritual snapshots crowd the landscape of our daily lives.  This snapshot, however, will be an 11 x 17.  No wallets available.

Then His loving Voice penetrates, “Child, I see your grateful heart.   Remember, every good and perfect gift comes from above.   So worship Me, not My gifts.”

The Lord’s whisper grows firm.  “You can't begin to picture what I have ahead for you.  You are not yet ready.  I must enlarge your capacity to receive from Me.  Will you let me do that?”

And just like I lifted my arms to my daddy as a little girl, I reach up to Papa God and sing, timidly at first, then full-bore.

I don’t have to fully know just how far Your love can go

To sing of Your love for me.

I don’t have to fully grasp the measure of Your holiness

To sing “Holy, Holy!”

All I need is—all I really need is

Just a glimpse of You, and I’m in awe

Just a glimpse of You, my God

Just a glimpse of You, and all I can do is

Worship. 

I don’t have to fully see how amazing Love can be

To sing of Your love for me.

I don’t have to comprehend how Your mercy never ends

To sing of Your mercy.

All I need is—all I really need is

Just a glimpse of You, and I’m in awe

Just a glimpse of You, my God

Just a glimpse of You, and all I can do is

Worship. 

Tap…tap…tap…with the tongs.  The darkroom is electric—holy ground.  As the solution ripples in the tray, the giant photo emerges.   With it comes an indescribable peace, and the faintly physical impression of my spirit expanding within me.

“You, Lord.  I’m thankful for You.”