The birds were tweeting, anxiously keeping an eye on the meowing cats, who, in turn, were distracted by the barking dogs! Who wouldn't want to celebrate the "blessing of the animals?"
On the Sunday closest to Oct. 4, the Christian church often celebrates our animal friends by offering a blessing both to them and to their owners. It's a noisy and fun way to thank God for our animal companions.
Another "party" is scheduled for this weekend too. It's a celebration of the harvest. Cornhusks and pumpkins join a colourful display in most places of worship as we give thanks to God for the bounty of the earth.
In this beautiful Delta where we live, we are particularly aware of the rich resources that have been set at our feet. We rejoice in order to thank our Creator for all the bounty of the waters, the forests and the fields.
Just one more thing for which to give thanks: our neighbours. Sometimes it is so easy to thank God for the creatures and resources around us, but much harder to give thanks for the people who bless our lives.
Christ came to save the creation, and all the created, not just the ones who don't talk back!
Paul wrote to his friends in the early church at Philippi, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." So go ahead! Say a word of thanks with joy on this Thanksgiving weekend - you may be surprised that you will be blessed in return.
