Thank you very much ! - Brenda Lee Johnson

1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

          I don't know why, but my husband and I love hearing the character Brenda Lee Johnson from The Closer say "Thank you very much". The accent portrayed from an actress who sounds nothing like her in real life and drips with both sincerity and sarcasm. We love it when we hear the phrase inevitably come out. And it is therefore heard within our own hallowed walls as well. 

       Thanksgiving is an interesting concept. It seems to convey our bifurcated belief that we are thankful for all the good things in our life and at the same time believing we are pretty much responsible for everything good in our life, somehow from our own merit, deeds or actions. An interesting dichotomy. I'd hate to get into a discussion about how God provides for us, not being one who adheres to 'direct intervention'.  Still, I believe that God does give us all good things in one way or another. Today is a day when we should take stock everything in between, driving, eating, watching football and eating some more. 

         After the last few weeks (months?) we have had here with perf'd appy's and aortic aneurysms, it seems especially appropriate that we give thanks. It isn't so much that I think we have to make some grand gesture either. We don't need to entertain a whole host of people with a multitude of dishes, desserts and a huge bird. That kind of 'thanks'giving almost becomes meaningless if not obscene.

         If 'Thank you very much" is to take on any meaning and sincerity to me it must be connected to thanks, service, simplicity and God. The list of things to be thankful for starts at home with my most wonderful husband, to my man GLC, to my kids and grandkids, to physical settings, job, friends, the ability to function and love, to see things and hear people and onto the ultimate thanks, being alive.

         If you look up "Eucharist" in "the Google" you get quite a variety of results but primarily geared towards a Sacrament of the church.  In truth this sacramental name comes from the Greek word, Eukharisteo ( is the usual verb for "to thank, to be thankful" ). Do we have the presence of mind and the time to say thank you to God for the gift of Himself / Herself to us? Do we fully appreciate the giftedness of our very self to the world? Can we say "thank you very much" without any hint of sarcasm or  sense of entitlement?  

         Just some Thanksgiving thoughts on this glorious day.

But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labour among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.