Alma Lutheran Church
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Unexpected Thankfulness on Thanksgiving

11/24/2017

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I’m still very much physically and emotionally in shock. Yesterday’s Thanksgiving did not conclude the way had I expected, much less wanted. On the way home from spending the evening with some friends, I hit a doe head-on with my car—killing the deer and likely totaling the vehicle. The whole incident happened so fast. One moment I’m driving past Around the Bend Restaurant, and the next she’s smack dab in the middle of my lane. Unsure whether I should try and swerve out of the way—quite possibly risking worse—I decide to hit the brakes and brace for impact. The animal slams into the hood and somehow miraculously flies off the passenger side instead of rolling over the top. The car comes to a stop—steam of a busted radiator billowing out, and filling the car. Emergency flashers on. Car off. Both boys are safe and responsive—unfazed by the trauma of what just happened. A couple cars behind me stop, ready to help however they can. 
       One of the drivers offers go to the house beside the road and ask if we can stay there while waiting for a ride—and did. Another passenger offers to make sure with his concealed carry handgun that the doe is completely out of her misery—and did. A family who doesn’t know us, welcomes my sons and I into their home—with overwhelming care and hospitality. In ways I could have never expected, I found myself last night giving thanks. So many people were present in our great time of need. Thanks be to God for protecting my sons and I. Thanks to Randy Romain and his friend for assisting us and taking care of the deer. Thanks to the other car that stopped and offered help. Thanks to the Zobel family for your exceeding kindness and welcoming us into your home. Thank you to my wife, Brandy, for jetting from work in Omaha to come pick us up. Thank you to the many family and friends who contacted me to make sure we were alright, and offering help. Thank you to a couple parishioners, Brandon and Jake, who retrieved my car this morning and are assessing the damage to hopefully be repaired. 
​       In my most vulnerable moment last night, I was reminded that I have so many and so much in my life for which to give thanks. Perhaps it’s in the worst, most darkest times we have the greatest opportunities to see most clearly the many blessings all around us for which to give thanks and praise. All those who came to our aid—physically and emotionally—last night were Jesus Christ for me and my boys. It was truly a work of the Holy Spirit for them all to be present and available for us—reaching out, loving, caring, and supporting us. As I try to come down from this adrenaline roller coaster and begin figuring out what now, I am thankful. It’s not the way I would have wished to come to this, but nonetheless: Thank you all. 
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    Pastor Andrew

    I by no means have all the answers. As one who wrestles with his faith regularly, I bring with me tons of questions. I believe asking questions is a good and necessary part of our faith and life together. I also believe Christ calls us to question all those things that don't make sense. God has created us to think, to learn, and to grow. As I seek to question things I don't understand, may the Holy Spirit fill you also with a yearning to ask the tough questions in your life.

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