This Week’s Query
From: Advices and queries; Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, 5th edition, @ 1995-2015 Quaker Faith and Practice
‘Be honest with yourself. What unpalatable truths might you be evading? When you recognize your shortcomings, do not let that discourage you. In worship together we can find the assurance of God’s love and the strength to go on with renewed courage.’
As it happens, we come to this query during the week of Thanksgiving. What a strange time to think of things that are ‘unpalatable’. Here we are, anticipating so many things pleasing to our palate – the family favorites awaiting us at the table of thanks; the food and drink that slides so easily down our throats. But what about those things that are hard to swallow? What about those things we find in ourselves that are most difficult, served cold?
Friends, we are reminded in this query that as we gather around the table of our life, we gather in worship, always. Our family and friends form our meeting, both near and far. As God opens each new day, regardless of its title, it is a Thanksgiving Day, a day for giving thanks for the gathered meeting that is our life. It is a day of worship, through the power of the Holy Spirit. And what is it that we have most to give God thanks for? God’s loving presence and God’s grace and forgiveness. Because of these things, we are given courage to face the most foul-tasting, unpalatable truths about ourselves. Through God’s strength in us, and the care of our family and friends, we are able to remove unpleasant items from the table, and instead, replace them with healthy, delicious choices that God has always had, ready-made for us. Do not be discouraged. Taste and see that God is good. Remember, even when faced with challenges that have been difficult we have many, many things for which to be thankful.