Looking Ahead

Yesterday was “National Middle Child Day,” and, well, everyone forgot! OK, OK, I just made that up, but it could be true. If yesterday was National Middle Child Day, everyone would have overlooked it! Middle children are used to it, not the first and not newest, cutest little thing; middle children are just there holding down the fort! Of course, there have been plenty of middle children who have gone on to achieve great things! The 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, was a middle child. The “Oracle of Omaha,” Warren Buffett, is the only boy surrounded by two sisters. Peyton Manning, Bill Gates, David Letterman, and so many other folks making significant contributions to the world come from the middle.

I was picking up our granddaughter from her Mom & Dad’s place the other day. Her mom was changing her when I arrived. Mom was dressing her in a very cute pumpkin outfit, perfect for the fall, but she was being dressed under the Christmas tree! Now, I might tease you a little for putting your Christmas tree up a little early, but I will also admire the lights and look forward to Jesus with you by that tree. In that moment, though, I couldn’t help but feel a little bad for the middle child of holidays, Thanksgiving!

Put up the tree, blast the Christmas music, hang the stockings all while your home is filled with pumpkin spice candles, but please don’t forget to give thanks! Thank God for how much He loves you! Thank Him for the creation around you! Give God praise for another day of life, one more chance to roll over and serve Him! Thank Jesus for His mercy and grace. Are you anxious today? Thank God for caring enough to allow us to cast our anxieties on Him! Heading to work? Give God a shout out of praise that no matter what you are doing you have the chance to do it with and for Him! That smiling grandkid, attentive dog, favorite hoodie, break between jobs, wife standing by you, husband serving you, extra long French fry… whatever it is big or small, remember that every good gift comes from Him & Say thanks!

Here at Wallula Christian Church we have many reasons to give thanks! Adding an additional service has helped us reach more people this fall! Last Sunday we celebrated a couple of baptisms and this Sunday we will celebrate another! Child dedication Sunday was a great day and reminded us of how thankful we should be for our individual families and our church family here at Wallula. Katy and her team reached out to hundreds of kids and their families at the Great Pumpkin Party - I am so thankful for creative ways to share Jesus’ love with others! So many great reasons to give thanks to God!

So, come out this Sunday at 8:00, 9:30 or 11:00 a.m. and lift up some praise, offer thanks to a God who loves you! At the end of the month on November 22 join us for our special all-church Thanksgiving event. We will gather for a time of worship and prayer, celebrate together with the best part of Thanksgiving dinner, dessert! And there will of course, be some fun games to enjoy as we hang out together and focus a little bit on giving thanks to Him!

I hope to see you Sunday!

Lance

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18