Guest Post by Rev. Liz Coates
I stood under the calm black sky staring up at the stars, letting the stress of the day wash from the top of my head, down my shoulders, over my back, and to my feet. It was nearly a full moon. Yet, the beauty of night pulled me in and created a sense of wonder in me as no other thing could. Even in the dark, the clearness reminds me that God has a vision that nothing can dim. And I am grateful.
I am grateful that after Adam and Eve neglected God's instruction then hid from him, He called out, "Where are you?" Because I sometimes fail, too.
I am grateful that during exile, even as God's people grumbled against Him, God sent manna and quail because I complain about the gift of life, too.
I am grateful that when Elijah was weary and defeated enough to go into the desert and die, God sent him (warm!) bread and water because defeat and exhaustion come more often than I care to admit.
I am grateful that "Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones" because it has been a dark year filled with illness.
I am grateful that God calls for justice, even when that damages my privilege, and yet says, "Comfort, comfort," when I fall, humbled. Because my ego is fragile, and God reminds me it's okay if it shatters.
I am grateful that we are called to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Because so, so many need mercy.
But, most of all, I am grateful that God came down and took on the soft, vulnerable, complicated messiness of skin and friendship, love and frustration - in the person of Jesus.
So when I stand there asking, sometimes begging God to help my life matter beyond myself and my shortcomings and inability or when I am caught up in the whirlwind of business for weeks, not even remembering to be thankful. God says, "Where are you?" and, "Come to me you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
I am grateful that I can go and stand under the stars, in the cold night air, and remember God is there, in everything, loving me, his little girl, and reminding me that I am enough because He is with me.
Rev. Liz Coates
Executive Director of Good News Clinic
https://www.goodnewsclinics.org