November 24, 2021

Beloveds, 

On this day before Thanksgiving, I feel like I should be gathering my thoughts about all for which I am grateful, in preparation. (And if I were doing that, GNUUC would certainly be on my list!) What I am doing, however, is doing my best to be present to myself and those around me, rather than to my (perhaps a tad overlong) to-do list. 

I’m not knocking gratitude (or to-do lists); in fact, I generally recommend it. But today, a little reminder to us all: sometimes, when everything is just a tad more than might be reasonably easy to handle, slowing down and paying attention may be the only authentic path to true gratitude. Your life doesn’t need to look like anything on Instagram or Facebook to be plenty wonderful. You are big enough to hold whatever you’ve got to hold. Even if you don’t have time to slow down, consider pausing to take a deep breath and a long look--inside and around you. Then take another breath, and another. Then go do, see, cook, eat, enjoy! 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 

In love and hope,
Rev. Denise

P.S. I look forward to seeing more of you “at” church--whether that is in-person or on  Zoom. Please consult  the “Worship Updates” I sent last week for an overview of our worship schedule through the end of 2021. Christmas Eve is coming!