November 2010 Thanksgiving Greeting
Wishing You a Blessed Thanksgiving
Dear Partners in Ministry
A few of our leaves are changing color and falling. I told my visiting mother-in-law that we see leaves fall all winter long in San Diego, unlike Michigan, where things change dramatically within weeks. We are also experiencing cooler and shorter days. As subtle and mild as these changes are for San Diegans, it reminds me of the season change. My biggest sadness moving into fall is the time change, as darkness comes earlier each evening. It means most of my mountain biking is in the dark and my running is moved to noon times. So, in a way, I see fall/winter as a bit of an inconvenience. There is always sadness in seeing the warm/hot days of summer behind us. I know you folks in extreme weather regions are thinking I’m a wimp. It is true that many San Diegans complain about a two degree fluctuation. The local radio station recently described us as “weather wimps.” Last week, Kathy and I were in Colorado Springs attending our National CDM Staff & Pastor’s Conference. The high was 45 degrees. I remember thinking that this former Michigander would never volunteer to live in a cold region again!
What is upbeat about the seasonal change is that we move into some of my favorite holidays. Second only to Easter, Thanksgiving is especially meaningful to me. It’s a holiday where there isn’t much pressure from the marketing arena. Yes, there is the food shopping for that special icon of Thanksgiving, the turkey. But other than that, it is a time to slow down, hang with family, and reflect on and review the past year, considering all that God has done for us. Thankfulness is a good exercise to combat the “entitlement” and “me first” attitude that seems to be communicated from every corner of our society. Thankfulness moves us to a place of humility where we recognize that God gives us everything; who we are, what we have, and where we are going when we enter into eternity. All because of Jesus!
Warmly In Him
Sam & Kathy Johns
