Dear Fellowship Family,

 

As we approach the holiday season, I, along with my faculty and staff, always eagerly anticipate the break, as I am sure you do as well. It is a chance for us to pause from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives and reconnect with our family and friends. It is a time for us to get away, to recharge, and refresh. It is a time that is filled with fond memories of the past as we, also, eagerly anticipate some of the happiest celebrations to come. It's also a time to step back, pause, reflect, recalibrate our perspective, and focus on what matters most.

 

It reminds me of the regular practice of pause that Jesus often exemplified as recorded throughout the gospels. Just before His most significant interactions, He would pull away to spend time in prayer, seeking the heart of God, His father. His practice was so common that the disciples asked Him to teach them this same discipline, which is recounted in Luke 11:1-13.

 

When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, He offered them a simple prayer that could easily reset the condition of their hearts as they considered whatever situation was before them.

 

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Luke11:2-4

 

Following this prayer, the disciples were reminded how great a Father we have in God, Who gives His children good gifts and has an incredible plan for each of them.

 

As we gather around the table with loved ones this Thanksgiving, I want to challenge all of us to pause and take stock of the good gifts that God has given each of us. What is it that you are grateful for this year? How has He shown himself faithful? What prayers has He answered?

 

I, like you, will pause with my family to "say grace." By doing so, we are participating in a beautiful tradition with roots that trace back before Jesus' time.  As He broke bread with his disciples, He "said grace" and blessed God's provision (Luke 24:30). This prayer provides us the opportunity to pause, gather, focus, and reflect so that we can be intentional with our words as we pour out our hearts to praise God for His grace and for the many blessings He has generously provided. Each time we "say grace," we have an opportunity to acknowledge that our meals are provided by God, Who loves us enough to provide all that we need and more. Each and every blessing is given as a gift out of His abundant grace because He is a loving father.

 

We have much to be thankful for, so as we gather with thanksgiving and acknowledge His grace, may our hearts overflow with gratitude for HIs goodness and may we be quick to extend grace to others throughout this holiday season.

 

I hope you have a restful break and a very happy Thanksgiving.

 

Grateful for our Fellowship Family,

 

Dr. Kathryn Teston