Thanksgiving evening

I like you have been thinking about all the blessings for which to give thanks this day. Somehow I think that as creatures of the living God, saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, what is most pleasing to God is not that we put together a long litany of the many blessings we individually identify, but that our lives are turned into an offering of praise every day. I want to be thankful for not just those things that I consider good and right in my life, but to be grateful for my life. I certainly don't always live up to that wish. And I must say that on this Thanksgiving evening there are many blessings I can identify for which I am grateful. So, after what I just said, I still want to say thanks for:

---Dr. Blake Cooper, with Retina Specialists of Shawnee Mission Medical Center, whose name we did not even know this time last week, who performed retina surgery on Caleb yesterday. And who came in this morning, Thanksgiving, to check him; who said these phrases today which tentatively, at least gave us hope: "macula in tact"; "retina laid down nicely'; "I was afraid that wouldn't happen but it did"---and the precautionary: because of scarring behind the retina, we may need to do further surgery; and it will take a month to six weeks before we see if the vision has improved.

--For the many prayers, calls, and emails we have received in the last 48 hours from so many---and from just about all the people I love most in the world. Especially grateful for Hubert and Yolanda who came and sat with us during surgery; for Barbara Garcia wishing she could get on a plane and come and cook Thanksgiving for us; for Mike King's gorgeous prayer from the Orthodox tradition for healing of the eyes which he re-wrote for us. I have been so blessed over these last three years with having my own personal tradition and vocation proudly and firmly placed in the United Methodist church while at the same time being a part of the Jacob's Well community and to have acquired many friends and brothers and sisters in Christ in the emergent conversation. Thanks to you all.

--For Caleb's fine spirit---A few things I will always remember about the last two days: We discussed what it means to pray for healing---He said that he thinks that when we pray for a burden to be lifted, what we are given is not so much a lifted burden, but enough strength to be able to shoulder whatever we are given; I will remember the nurse writing above his left eye in black Sharpie "Yes" just before surgery; the way that he waited with good humor and kindness to the four nurses and two doctors whom he saw, and who kept poking drops and such in his eyes on Tuesday over the course of 4 1/2 hours at the doctors' office (mothers, I would suggest you point your children to a specialty in retinal problems---if the waiting room Tuesday is any indication, there aren't enough doctors doing this here); and for the smile that went away from about 1:30 yesterday until this morning when it reappeared again after the shield and patch were gone.

--For a former husband Philip that, though we did have some moments this morning, continues to be supportive and a much beloved father to his children. That he saw how exhausted I was today and completely cleaned the kitchen after our Thanksgiving meal (which, yes, I did cook) and that turned 49 on the same day his son had major eye surgery.

--For a marvelous district full of strength and hope and where the two evidences of the Spirit that I believe we need the most---compassion and creativity---are being exemplified by churches and pastors every week.

--For Kevin Buckrucker, best district lay leader in the world; for Barbara, Tracy and Coni who put up with three d.s.s with different styles and different work habits every day and do it with grace and class

--For the hands of love which have squeezed ours in prayer; which have picked up phones and tapped out messages by computer; which have hugged and patted; that have moved with mysterious accuracy in surgery; that have folded in prayer; that have, each pair in its own way, administered healing to this family, this mother, this boy the last two days, and which in the fullness of time, we will hold if not now, in another time, on another shore, where we will no longer see in part, but then in full--where there will be no more need for surgery, or distance or circumstance to keep us from being all together in one place. Where we will all understand each other. Where mother Cox will have prepared asparagus and all will eat it and love it; and where father Cox will have a pan full of cracked walnuts ready to shell for Christmas baking and where every day will be thanksgiving as we stand around the throne of God.