As I write, it is a beautiful October morning. The sky is clear, the temperature is in the mid-60’s and the leaves on the trees lining Bergen Street where I live are vibrant with gold and red and orange. It is one of those days you would like to save in a bottle and set on your desk. That way you could pull it out and look at it in the middle of March when winter still has Minnesota in its grasp and spring seems an eternity away. It’s easy to be thankful on such a beautiful day. It’s hard to be thankful when the clouds roll in and the grayness holds on.
Besides admiring the view outside my window this morning, I just finished an introductory paragraph for the new church directory and I find my thoughts and memories split. It’s hard not the consider the clouds that have rolled in over the last years for Crane Chapel. Yes, it’s wonderful to reflect on the colorful mosaic of the body of Christ reflected on the pages of a new church directory. But there have been some dark days in Crane Chapel’s recent history. Days of warmth and fellowship were repalced for a season by the frigid air of broken relationships and divided loyalties. The horizon today is still clouded with the haunting memory of an arson fire, and the bittersweet sorrow over the passing of our beloved Pastor Joe Matt, Jr. The body of Christ is often hidden by what can only be characterized as frivolous and inconsequential in the grand scheme of God’s Eternal Plan. Yes, the clouds will roll in…. Nothing in Scrip ture supports a constant state of picturesque October mornings. But we serve a living and loving God who asks us to give thanks in all things: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God….” (I Thessalonians 5:18).
So in this season of Thanksgiving, I am very thankful as I reflect on the body of Christ represented by this congregation. Despite the clouds, Crane Chapel is a vibrant, living, breathing part of the Body of Christ! I hesitate to enumerate specific ministrires, but some just stand out to me this morning: We have an exciting and effective AWANA ministry and I can only be reminded of John Hormel’s vision for a ministry reaching the children of northeast Austin. I am thankful for Paulette Lewis’ heart for ministry and her dedication to leading AWANA. And this past September, we launched a Wednesday night Soup Supper and with each passing week we serve more soup that the previous week and we reach out even further into the community. Again fullfilling the vision of John Hormel. And I am thankful: Thankful for Carol Tracy’s commitment to and enthusiasm for this ministry – along with the many hands of our Helping Hands Ministry. Our Teens are growing too. Both in numbers and in service to others. And I am thankful. Thankful for Amanda Kuns and her zeal and energy to lead our young people to the Lord. Our worship team has taken on new leadership and a new look. I am thankful for Vern Dunham’s heart for worship and his passion to be sensitive to God’s Spirit and presence in our worship services. I’m also grateful for the addition of an organ to our new building donated by Daryl and Nada Kilgore and the talent that Myrtle Bentley brings to the keys of this beautiful instrument.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, let’s be reminded that Thanksgiving is not a reaction to the realities of life, but a choice of the soul. As such, true Thanksgiving can only come from a soul given wholly to Christ. Let’s choose this season to follow Him completely and be truly and exceptionally thankful.
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