With the extraordinary summer we have experienced this year now becoming a distant memory, and the leaves beginning to turn, it is traditionally the time of our Harvest Thanksgiving Services in Church. The crops are gathered and stored safely although the farming work carries on, tilling the fields and sowing winter crops, repairing boundaries, servicing farm equipment and no doubt many other things those outside of the farming community know nothing about. Life is always busy, but it should never be too busy to say thank you and show appreciation. Just as Harvest Thanksgiving Services are planned as part of the pattern the churches year, planning to say thank you is a good thing.
I remember being taught the discipline of writing ‘Thank You’ notes as a child after Christmas, Birthdays, and other special occasions such as after spending a quiet supper with friends, I still take time to write a card to say thank you. And even in todays’ modern technological world, where texts and e-mails are the norm, a hand written card or note is always welcomed and valued.
But although saying ‘Thank You’ for special gifts or nice surprises may come naturally, it often takes more discipline to say thank you for the everyday things we more often than not take for granted. Remembering to say thank you for a lovely midweek meal after a busy day is one way of showing appreciation, offering to wash up after the meal is definitely another!!
Perhaps another way is to have a moment of quiet reflection towards the end of the day looking back at what has happened. It is surprising how many things there are to be thankful for that may have gone unnoticed.
The Apostle Paul was always giving thanks, especially for the people he had met on his journeys around Asia Minor – nowadays the Eastern Mediterranean. If you read the first few verses of his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians in the New Testament, Paul recognised the good in others and their work to help others and make things better.
There are many things that I give thanks for, especially the people I meet in my day to day routine of “vicar-ing”. I am blessed that I get to meet so many people from all walks of life, and that I am invited and welcomed into their lives too.
When priests are ordained, they make a vow to say the “daily offices” of morning and evening prayer every day, no matter where they are. As I say my evening prayers, I always give thanks for the people I have met, who I have had the privilege of spending time with, getting to know, and all those I have ministered to in a spiritual and pastoral way.
So, this Harvest time, let us give thanks for the abundance of grace we have been given, whether in the fruits of the fields, or the fruits of families and friends.
As we will be singing in the popular Harvest Hymn during the coming month:
All good gifts around us, are sent from heaven above, Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all His love!
With my love and blessings,
Rev Mandy Xx