Daily Devotionals

I’m So Grateful!

Posted in Gratitude/Thankfulness

Scripture:  “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” – Hebrews 12:28

I felt the need to write this after going to the 9:15 am service recently. It was communion Sunday, the first without masks. It was a Sunday with the choir singing an anthem in-person, not pre-recorded, and the congregation was singing too. It was a Sunday with ministers greeting you after the service. Praise God for the opportunity to be back at church!

I have to say that EPC, with our wise leaders, has done a fantastic job of giving us opportunities to be engaged during the pandemic. At the beginning of all this, I couldn’t wrap my head around live-streamed church services, and I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to preach to an empty sanctuary, but I am grateful we had this option during the last year-and-a-half. The church led biblical classes, though distanced and with masks, throughout this time as well. Thanks to our awesome staff, I never once felt that the campus was not pristinely clean. My husband, Bill, and I have enjoyed many of Chef Regina’s fine, takeout meals. EPC has done a wonderful job in very trying times, and by the grace of God, I am hopeful that we are “on the other side”.

Now it’s time to come back. To show our thankfulness to the God that has helped us through an awful time and continues to be with us. To see people we haven’t seen in months and hug them like we’ve never hugged before: what a blessing! To be the Body of Christ with a renewed enthusiasm, thankful for his presence in all things, and ready to be his hands and feet in whatever ways he leads us next: it’s such a gift! It’s time to show God how thankful we are to be where we are, enjoying life again, while never forgetting what we’ve been through.

I’m thankful and hopeful that we are on the other side of Covid, but I don’t want to forget where we’ve been. Covid has been my first real “test” of this magnitude. Not engaging in life as we know it, not seeing family and friends, not worshiping as we are used to– this has been life changing for most of us. But have we been changed? Throughout the last 18 months, God has still been God and has been with us throughout everything. As we move ahead, will we remember this time and how good God has been to us? I am going to try. Will you join me?

Prayer:  Dear God, thank You for being with us always, especially during the last year-and-a-half. Thank you for the progress we have made and are making with getting Covid under control. While the last months have been hard on many levels, may we use them to appreciate how blessed we are. Thank You for the leaders we have at EPC who have kept us engaged and connected through very challenging times. May we appreciate daily all the gifts you have given us, and may we continue to use them to your glory. Give us a new enthusiasm to do Your will. In your Son’s holy name, Amen.

Submitted by Susan Ratteree