By Jennifer Lindberg
I have some name-calling to do this Thanksgiving.
But they are the sweetest endearments–these names of God that is a family tradition of Thanksgiving.
Breath giver
Shepherd healer
Wood cutter placed on a tree with wounds carved in His side by a lance opening Grace’s to us.
Gift sender both human and divine because Christ’s sacrifice burned me into the palm of His Father’s hands, forever saved, and forever loved.
Echo maker because Christ’s life echoes through the centuries.
Even if we are bruised on the Vine of Life we are still gathered in love. If sin has made us break, has caused strife, and anguish, Christ grafts us back in as the repentant prodigal son or daughter who now mends their ways.
If upcoming family gatherings have you stressed from strife or hurts and tempts you to give vent to name calling, just don’t. Instead, grasp the names that will fill your soul to the brim with hope instead of despair, faith instead of fear, and love instead of strife. God is Immensity as Baruch 3:24 tells us.
Speak words of grace over the “nosy,” aunt, the “critical,” sister, or the “gruff” neighbor because Scripture always gets it right:
I have laid up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. (Psalms 119:11)
I think words matter because God has names and is called the Word made Flesh. The man-God who gathers you to His heart because with Jesus you are always wanted, needed, and consoled.
You’ve heard it before. Eucharist means Thanksgiving in Greek. Our Eucharist is His body and blood of the bread and the wine, of the Real Presence. If God is for us, who can be against us?
Thankful gets “worded” up this time of year.
But that word embraces so much more. Do we ever thank God for breath, for knowing His voice, for being a sheep to follow the shepherd, for grafting you and pruning you or for the wounds of His that healed a universe?
Mountains may shake and hills fall to the ground
but (God’s) mercy shall not depart from you, or his covenant of peace shall not be removed,
says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10
This thanksgiving I will bring out my good shepherd as the infant we are waiting for this Christmas and prepare for this Advent. Around him are names we will pick to pray about and wonder about and try to live this Advent. It is our tradition of Thanksgiving.
We will ask Him to make that gift alive in us, this name of His to help us know Him better, to strengthen our personal relationship with Him. To know someone is to know their name. I want to know God’s names to place in my heart, to whisper His names in the dark to shine the light, to know Him better, to love Him better, and to serve Him better.
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19)
Happy Thanksgiving!
Grab the free place cards to start your own tradition of Divine Name Calling. There’s too much other name-calling out there right now. Here is the antidote:
Place cards
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