Good morning…

“The accumulated sorrows of your exile (your being barred from comfort, your being kept from closeness, your inability to feel completely at home) will dissipate,” whispers the LORD through the pen of an Old Testament prophet. Zephaniah 3:19-20 in the Message translation continues: “I, your God, will get rid of them, your sorrows, for you. You’ve carried those burdens long enough. At the same time, I’ll get rid of all those who’ve made your life miserable” (taking away their sting and removing their oppressive power over you, I will negate their painful influence).

God’s promise expands: “I’ll heal the maimed; (the maimed parts in you, the maimed parts in your offenders) I’ll bring home the homeless (in your vulnerable state, I will bring you home to Myself, setting up My tent of protection around you, offering you safe refuge). In the very relationships where you were hated you will be venerated” (loved and cherished, admired and appreciated, since I will surround you with My protective layer of love, buffering biting comments, filtering the exchange between you and those who have hurt you).

During this Thanksgiving season, our LORD God promises: “I’ll bring (each of) you back home (to Myself)—a great family gathering! (You who trust in Me will envision an arms-length circle of My presence around you, cushioning any hurtful comments, filling your mouth with My life-giving words.) You’ll be…honored…(with My loving Spirit alive within you, healing you, protecting you, transforming each interaction). You’ll see it with your own eyes—all those painful partings turned into redeemed reunions!”

As I led Sunday school at Peachtree Road Methodist Church yesterday, the three above paragraphs broke the class into three groups. We each considered our most pain-inducing persons this holiday season (maybe an ex-spouse or a current one, a special needs child or a demanding teenager, a critical in-law or parent, a challenging sibling or friend, a loved one lost to death or addiction, Alzheimer’s or mental illness). As we candidly discussed a few pointed questions, we felt God’s transformative power begin to pave our way through the accumulated sorrows of our imperfect families.

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving 2016, may we take comfort in God’s promise: “Accumulated sorrows will dissipate…I will take care of them…you’ve carried those burdens long enough.”

…Sue…