Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for: all the people in my life who love me. those who hate me, or at least don't like me. God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Creation. agriculture. wind amidst silence. squash. women. well-written, melodic music. beards. long hair on women. the Christian hope of resurrection, of the life of the world to come. church. holy scripture. baptism and communion. prophets, like Wendell Berry, Shane Claiborne, Mother Teresa, St. Francis of Assisi, Isaiah, Jesus, Ghandi, John Howard Yoder, John Wesley, Adam Thada. good theology. ratatouille. good friends. good listeners. the insights of modern psychology. medicine. female vocalists. education. saints, real people (now and then) who imitate Jesus Christ, especially his love. any human source of truth. all my friends who are doing things that I am not yet doing, but want desperately to do. peacemakers. farmers. technology. those who serve and live with the poor (I want to join you). humor and laughter. the government, when they serve the common good. tomatoes, onions and peppers. cabbage. beans. things that keep us warm. bicycles. feet. public transportation. libraries. learning other languages. locks. open doors. common trust. generosity. answered prayers. unanswered prayers. colors. artists. poetry. words expressing previously unspoken realities. martyrs. beds, couches, chairs, mats and cushions. simplicity. self-denial. order. flowers. pineapple, strawberry, banana, grape. rain. quiet. peace. struggle. emergency services. water.