Thankful For All Saints
“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you… May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
– 2 Thess. 2:13-17
Who are the spiritual mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters in your life? What words did they share or actions they practiced taught you the faith? I have had many spiritual mothers and fathers, grandparents, and siblings. I would not have the strength of faith in God if not for the legacy I watched them live. Many of those spiritual parents are already in heaven. On this All Saints Day, I am thinking of those saints from my life.
I hope you take some time today to remember and thank God for the legacy of faith you experienced in your own life. Give thanks to God for the ways they taught you and exemplified a life of prayer and devotion. Give thanks for their trust that God always provided for their needs. Take a moment and reflect on who God is calling you to be that personal “saint” in their life. Is it a child, grandchild, neighbor or friend? Is it a co-worker or family member? How is God giving us eternal encouragement and good hope, encouraging our hearts and strengthening us in every good deed and word?
Father, help us be a people who are prepared for the journey which lies ahead. Take from us all evil desire; remove from us any refusal we have to forgive others; lift from us any reluctance we have to love our enemies and to bless, in your name, those who curse us. Send unto us the desire to love one another as Jesus loves us, the yearning to bring your saving word to those who hunger, the longing to reach out and touch another person with your love and to speak to others—and to ourselves—your truth. Help us to be ones who are prepared; help us to be ones who live Christ-like lives. Amen.
