Thanksgiving

Much has taken place since our last entry. We had a wonderful trip to Norman, OK to see Blake and Stancy and watch the Sooners obliterate the Red Raiders. The game was action packed with cold wind, hot chocolate, fireworks and cuss words. It made me thankful for warm jackets and made me realize the depravity of Sooner fans. We then spent a few well needed days in Amarillo. Last Wednesday was Blake and Stancy's engagement and a celebration that followed. It was so great to see how happy they both were and also to welcome a new member to our family. We were planning on traveling back late Wednesday night because Lauren was scheduled to work Thanksgiving Day. However, we received a call 20 miles down the road that she had been canceled and we were going to be able to spend Thanksgiving with our families. It was great news!!!
As we were conducting our holiday travels, I had been reading and reflecting on Romans 5. It reminded me that while I am thankful for football, friends, marriage, family and green bean casserole, it cannot overshadow what God has done for me in Jesus Christ. Paul writes in Romans 5:1-11 about peace. This 'peace' isn't what is most often thought of as 'good times' or 'easy living' or 'a calm attitude', this peace is a reconciling of relationships. Paul says that we have peace with God through the cross of Christ-through his substitutionary atonement. While we were enemies towards a holy God, He has shown his love for us in sending Christ to pay the penalty for our sins-a penalty that is justly due. God must punish sin if he is a holy and just God. In order to display both his grace and justice, he sent Christ to die. What man, in his sinfulness, was unable to do, God has done in Christ. Paul says we are made right (have peace) with God by faith through Christ. This holiday season, I want to remember that the thing I am most thankful for is a right relationship to God. A peace with God that only comes from being in Christ. After all, isn't that the ultimate reality while all other earthly things are passing away? Praise be to God who has brought us near to himself in Christ!