Making Tracks

“You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness.” Psalm 65:11

Yesterday we celebrated Christ the King, the final Sunday of the church year. This coming Sunday is (somehow, already?) the First Sunday of Advent. Nestled in between these two Sundays is Thanksgiving. While not scheduled for liturgical reasons, I love how Thanksgiving fits in. It’s a hinge to move us from one year to the next, a moment to focus with gratitude on the blessings of the past year and hope for good things to come.

The psalm appointed for Thanksgiving lends itself to year-end reflection. Whatever else has happened so far this year (and so much of it has been less than great, to put it mildly), the year is crowned with goodness. God’s bounty will come as a crown to adorn the year. The second half of this verse is delightful, creating an image of God’s abundance bouncing down well-travelled roads, spilling off carts and landing in wagon tracks. Maybe the blessing for which we wait seems delayed, but it’s coming! God’s abundance is guaranteed for us in the death and resurrection of Christ. This does not mean that we will find every blessing we want in this world; it does mean that the treasures of heaven, of life, forgiveness, and salvation, are given to us irrevocably.

So blessed, we can bless others. As you plan your Thanksgiving menu for the small gatherings of 2020, consider giving out of your abundance. Be a wagon track, delivering blessing to others. There are lots of ways to do this, but a gift supporting Harmony Food Pantry is always a good place to start.

Be well, friends. You are loved.

God of abundance. we thank you for the myriad ways you find to bless this world and its people. Give us patience as we wait and generosity so that others may be filled. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: The table waits for Thursday. The dining room is the only room still decorated for Thanksgiving; Christmas has begun to take over the rest of the house.