I grew up in the Church, understanding and believing in the phrase ” Thanks be to God. It is a true statement in almost every way! I think there are times when people offer it for others, and it doesn’t always feel appropriate, but when push comes to shove, it is hard to argue with Thanks be to God!
I will say that I have learned about a statement that resonates even more fully in my heart: Thanks be to God and his people. I have often experienced God through the people who believe in living out their faith. I have been encouraged, carried, supported, prayed for, and so much more by the people of God.
Here is a picture of my church and some of my people. People who know me and I know them. When I can not quite connect to or feel close to the God I know loves me with His whole being, I have learned to reach out to His people. In those relationships, I will often find a space to rest again in a loving father, God, savior, mother, friend…
I know that for as many of us who trust a loving God because of His people, we can also have experienced hurt by those people who claim to love God as their Lord and Savior. Those are also authentic chapters of one’s story. I will touch on that sometime as well. But tonight, consider that both may be true…. some people harm our perception of God, and some invite us into a place of rest and renewal. I hope tonight you can envision someone to whom you can say…thanks be to God and his people!
In faith and with gratitude,
Trish