Thankfulness REFLECTIONS


by JENNIFER KOPSA, EDITOR


At the lunch hour my young son prays, “Lord, I pray that this food will be good. I pray that we will have a good time at the gym and that Awana will be good.”


After our “amen” I raise my


eyes to look at him. Smiling, I say, “You know, when you pray like that, God is going to answer almost right away, because this is a good lunch, you always have fun at the gym, and Awana is very good.”


His prayers are so simple because he has had so


little life experience, so little pain or disappointment, and not much conflict. As his mother, I am delighted to hear him pray, but it’s not a Psalm, that’s for sure.


As I pray and live my sojourner’s life here on earth,


sometimes, I think I have everything in order. I think I know God’s will; but, when along the pathway, I find a chasm that I cannot span, I doubt and question.


I question myself, “Was I on the right path?” Then,


pausing for prayer to discern the way, waiting and trusting the Lord, he creates a way to span the chasm. He never changes his mind. His perfect will might look like a U-turn to me, but it’s still a straight path to him. The loving goodness and sovereignty of God always takes me exactly where I am supposed to go, maturing me into the person he wants me to be. For that I can be grateful. It is true for you too.


What is the chasm? Pain, loss, anger, conflict,


illness, anxiety? Stop, pray, focus on him, and wait. Fill yourself with his Word. Sing praise to him. The


outflow is a heart of gratefulness. No matter our cir- cumstances, thanksgiving will be our response.


A great example of this is from the story of David’s


life. He endured much. He struggled with sin. He was hunted and despised. He fought wars, lost a baby at birth, and lost his grown son, Absalom, to rebellion and a violent death. David’s decisions caused loss of life. He had no lack of chasms. He is also the greatest psalmist. He was an imperfect man who, by God’s grace, was able to turn to God again and wait on him. His songs are beautiful prayers that could only come out of a life experience that included shame, guilt, anxiety, grief, fear and anger. David learned that there is only one answer to all of that. God is the only one who can bring such healing and freedom. A relation- ship with the Creator is the answer.


Our young children pray sweetly, naively. We love


their uncomplicated expression. There is beauty in it. At the same time, we wonder, when will life’s trials and hardships take our children to a place of even more beautiful prayers, of a closer and more meaningful relationship with God. We want that for them, and for ourselves. We want a daily awareness that generates gratitude and thanksgiving, the only thing that we can offer to God in return for his love.


“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every-


thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6- 7).


FELL OWSHIP VIEWS The Commission on Churches has recognized the ordination of Rev. Hayden Norris of Crosspoint Bible


Church (Omaha, NE). Rev. Norris was installed as Lead Pastor at Crosspoint on September 12, 2021. Rev. Ryan Peixoto has resigned from his position as Lead Pastor at Grace Church (Abbotsford, BC). Please


pray for the Peixoto family and for the church as they seek what God has in store for them. Ray Reimer, long time pastor (retired) at Heartland Bible Church (Lincoln, NE), went home to be with the


Lord on August 1, 2021. Our sympathy and prayers are with his wife Trudy, their family, and the church family.


FELLOWSHIP FOCUS, OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 4


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