Voices of Thanksgiving
In light of everything going on in your life and this world, what will be your voice? Will it be a voice of complaining (ungratefulness) or a voice of Thanksgiving (gratefulness)?
In March of this year, we finally moved into our new home. After months of unpacking and setting rooms up, we settled in. I breathed a sigh of relief until my husband desired to celebrate with a home blessing. My initial thoughts of why this seemed unnecessary stemmed from the fact that while under construction, we bathed every room in our house with scripture…home blessed!
I also reminded him that our family planned to visit soon and trying to prepare for them and an event… well a bit much for me for those who know me. I thought of cleaning, cooking refreshments (lots of stress here), invitations, and the list goes on. But he felt a strong urge to make this happen.
I must confess. During the entire process of building our new home and moving, I found myself in complaint mode (Remember, I shared with you earlier that change is hard for me). My accountability sisters recognized it and several of them confronted me.
They challenged me to stop focusing on my perceived negatives and look at the blessings God delivered. Sadly, they saw straight through me. I simply did not want to move… not across town… not to a larger ranch style one level house… not at this season in my life… not trying to learn new roads and areas and stores… just not… the voice of ungratefulness.
I bit the bullet and called in the troops. My pastor and friend, Dr. Tony Evans agreed to officiate the home blessing and we set a date for September 19th. I contacted my chef, Chef Carlos Whitfield, to cater the event. My girlfriends, Syliva Stewart, Edith Cooper, Brenda Teele, Anne Haynes, and Dee Lemmons jumped in to help with the invitations, set up, and agenda.
The event turned into a fellowship and reunion of friends and family. People shared warm and wonderful stories. Laughter, excitement, and joy spread throughout the rooms. The food delighted everyone’s palate.
But the moment that pricked my heart and brought tears to my eyes came when Pastor Evans delivered the blessing. He opened with scripture and a brief message relating to it, but its what he did afterwards. Before he prayed the closing prayer, he asked everyone to touch someone or join hands and offer up a verbal blessing on the Noble home.
Seventy plus voices to the Lord filled the house! Seventy plus voices of Thanksgiving! Voices drowning out my voice of ungratefullness. Needless to say, I wept internally, confessed wholeheartedly, and burst with newness of spirit! My voice changed. I joined in with the other voices of thanksgiving and the beautiful harmony filled my home.
A few days later, the Lord gently reminded me of my prior prayers for this season of my life. I prayed for fresh wind and fresh fire (newness)… a one story house with no stairs to climb… ministry outreaches with my husband who recently retired… fellowship lunches and dinners with my girlfriends and travel with my family.
Did He not deliver?
He gave me newness (new outlook on His goodness, new neighbors, and new community)
We built a one level (no stairs) brand new home (BTW: I received a comment in regards to the event that said.. “whatever time and expense you and Tony spent on the house blessing was WELL worth it. It was a ministry, reunion, and fellowship of a rare type.” )
My husband and I can now minister together within our church body and even in our home
I‘ve enjoyed so many more fellowship lunches and fun with my girlfriends since the majority of them live on this side of town
Our travel plans are full steam ahead
So, as you and I prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, I ask the question again. No matter what you face, what will be your voice? Will it be a voice of complaining (ungratefulness) or a voice of Thanksgiving (gratefulness)?
I don’t know about you, but I am so sorry for complaining about anything. The home blessing opened my eyes and heart to remember the goodness of God. Psalm 26:7 says, “That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And delare all Thy wonders.” If I spend more time declaring His wonders, my voice ceases to complain, and ungratefulness dies. Why? Simply …
