I am grateful for the realization that there are more fannypacks worn on college and NFL football fields than you’ll ever see on pudgy, middle-aged, living-in-the-80’s, all-around great but ordinary people.

I am grateful for stores with wide aisles, especially this time of the year.

I am grateful for the most unique Thanksgiving card from Delores that I will display this week for all to see.

I am grateful for a new storm door.

I am grateful for the treat of going to the Thanksgiving lunch last Friday at the assisted living facility where I call Bingo.

I am grateful that Halos and Cuties are back.

I am grateful for our Thanksgiving tree.

I am grateful for the gift of hearing Anthony Evans and Philip Yancey this past weekend.

Anthony was a finalist on The Voice and is the son of Pastor Tony Evans. There had come a point in his ministry when he was so burnt out and not feeling or believing the message of which he was singing. He just didn’t feel the love, the joy, the grace of Jesus, although he talked and sang it every day. He sat down with his Dad for some advice, and Dad gave him the analogy of a football game. Anthony knew the “plays” by memory, but he spent all of his time in the “huddle” with those who also knew all the plays, with those who also wore the “uniform.” Problem was, he stayed in the huddle instead of getting out of the huddle and playing the game.  You gotta quit reciting plays to “the team” – break the huddle and play the game. Do love, Rhonda. Do love.

Philip Yancey spoke on his newest book, “Vanishing Grace,” and how the trend in today’s Christian community is to stand on the truth and rant about other churches and leaders who are watering down the message, but at the same time, we’ve all lost, because there is barely a hint of grace being shown any longer. He spoke of a woman from Chicago, who was so poor and so desperate, she rented out her children for money. When asked why she didn’t ask for help from local churches, she scoffed something like this: “Church?! I’d never go there! I’m not good enough for those kind of people.” Our grace is easily shown to like-minded, to like-status, to like-cultured, to like-lifestyle. It’s much harder to show grace and love and acceptance “just as you are” to those who we deem lower on the ladder. He used Hebrews 12:15 as the scripture to follow:

So strengthen your drooping hands and weak knees! Make straight paths for your feet so that if any part is lame, it will be healed rather than injured more seriously. Pursue the goal of peace along with everyone—and holiness as well, because no one will see the Lord without it. Make sure that no one misses out on God’s grace. Make sure that no root of bitterness grows up that might cause trouble and pollute many people. – Hebrews 12:15

I love that Jesus’ arms are big enough for all of us, even those of us who are wounded, especially those of us who are wounded, and HIS grace is what counts. I love that my church practices making sure that no one misses out on God’s grace. I love that I am accepted as I am, not as I should be.

I am grateful for a long list of things to get done in the next two days and for a long grocery list that just means there are lots of mouths to feed.

I am grateful that my sister is going to make the deviled eggs so that I don’t have to.

I am grateful for my own signature tablecloth that will have new additions this week.

And I am grateful for a week full of activity and family and a clean house and anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday as it should be – with those you love.