A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: GIVING THANKS IN HARD TIMES
Grace and peace to you,
This week we begin our exploration of the characteristics of saints – how is the ability to express gratitude during times of suffering one of those characteristics? Are we, the saints who are defined as followers of Jesus, able to give thanks for God’s love and presence even in hard times?
It is natural in times when we feel heartache or 
grief or pain or hardship to have mixed feelings about God. We want to ask why? Why me? Why them? Why us? Sometimes we want to cast blame – I often say God has big shoulders and can take our hurt and disappointment and even our anger. It is hard to think about gratitude when suffering!
We learn that from the prophets – calling people to account over and over again caused many of them to suffer at the hands of the ones who didn’t want to be held accountable. They suffered when they saw the injustice and wrongdoing committed by God’s people. Still, they found a way to express their gratitude to God for being present to them and for the things God did for them.
One of those prophets is Habakkuk who may not be familiar to you. I would encourage you to read the whole book – it’s only three chapters – to get a sense of what was causing him to suffer and how he found the ability to rejoice in God – to give God thanks even amid those hard times.
We will also look at Luke 17:11-19, the story of the ten with a skin disease who were willing to call on Jesus to have mercy on them as they suffered the impact of their disease. Yet only one, a Samaritan, stopped to say thank you – to express gratitude. Once we are healed of our suffering, do we stop and say thanks?
This community of faith has endured communal suffering. The schism was hard, and we still feel the effects. Yet, so much has happened to be grateful for as well. Do you sense that? What gratitude are you able to express to God now? Let’s explore this Sunday! Come and see!
Blessings,
Pastor Karen