 St Alban’s Episcopal Church Bolivar, Missouri Thursday, November 24, 2022 Thanksgiving Night  The Goodness of God I wonder if you have noticed how much of our liturgy is focused on thanksgiving – the word, Eucharist, after all, means exactly that.The psalms are so often hymns of praise and thanksgiving, gratitude for the goodness and faithfulness of God. During my weeks in Georgia spent mostly with Tammie’s Black friends, many of whom have been through some very difficult times, I was struck by how often those women spoke quite freely and naturally, and with confidence, about the goodness of God. We shared conversation and prayer. We had an incredible and unexpected washing of feet one evening, after a young woman said God told her to do it for us – her tenderness, her freedom to just do it, her gratitude for each, and for God’s love was palpable. It seems to be true that if we know we need God, God shows himself to be good – far more good than we know if we don’t need to lean wholly on God. They have seen God to be good in the very moments when nothing else, and no one else was. They have learned to trust the goodness of God and have experienced it, too – regardless of the circumstances. And so they are relaxed, joyful, grateful for life, and able to forgive the most horrific abuses and betrayals. They are also often hilarious, spontaneous, and glad to just go on in hope and in love. I wish you knew them. One thing I realized is how open and free they were with their stories, the miracles they have seen, the deliverance they have received. It’s the most natural thing in the world for Knarvie Ross, the 83 year old woman who lives across from Tammie, to walk 2 miles every morning and to talk about God – about the things for which she is grateful – the whole way, with no shortness of breath. I know. I was with her on those walks. I hope each of us will become more open, more honest, more vulnerable and less embarrassed to actually admit our need of God to help us to love better, to forgive injury, to rejoice in all things, to give freely, and to rejoice openly too in the goodness of God – to live confidently in the presence of God. It isn’t necessary to be Black or to have experienced poverty or abuse, racism or addiction, but maybe it helps – We are pretty self-sufficient, and perhaps it would be good if we weren’t.  The Goodness of God Cece Winans – I have shared the music of this song on my page and on the St Alban’s facebook page, but for those who are not on social media much, here are the words – You can find her singing it on YouTube – and it is worth it – beautiful every time. “The Goodness of God” I love you, Lord For Your mercy never fails me All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God. ‘Cause all my life You have been faithful And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God I love Your voice You have led me through the fire In the darkest night You are close like no other I’ve known You as a Father I’ve known You as a Friend And I have lived in the goodness of God (yes I have) ‘Cause all my life You have been faithful (oh yes You have) And all my life You have been good, so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God. (yes I will) ‘Cause Your goodness is running after, It’s running after me Your goodness is running after, It’s running after me With my life laid down, I surrendered now I give you everything, oh Lord Your goodness is running after, It’s running after me And all my life You have been faithful And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God (I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna sing) ‘Cause all my life You have been faithful And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God.    |
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