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Message from Elizabeth Hiller

A habit of our hearts

By Elizabeth L. Hiller

A few weeks ago Tim and I were married. In the weeks of preparation, we felt loved by so many people. Day after day we were immersed in the kindness of friends and family in notes filled with well-wishes, in quick phone calls, and their prayers. During the moments of preparatory stress, it was the patience and love of family and friends that led me through the worry of completing a seating chart and the final encounter with the party rental store.

Being immersed in so much love and kindness was amazing. Maybe marriages begin with celebration and outpouring of love to shift a couple’s focus — to shift focus outward. It’s a shift from insular months of preparation to outward gratefulness and thanks to others for their love and support. After so much kindness, how could I not be grateful?

There are many times in life when we feel love and support from others — when we embark on new careers, when we reach educational milestones, when we begin living again after the death of a beloved one.

It’s easy or at least easier to be thankful during lovely times, when we’re surrounded by friends, when kindness is plentiful, and when things are sailing smoothly along. It is more difficult to remain thankful when things aren’t good — when daily tasks seem more burdensome than joyful, when illness or obstacles prevent us from living the way we want or are accustomed to living.

Midway through the First Century, only a few decades after Jesus’ death, many people in the Greek port city of Thessalonica were ardent followers of Christ. They were immersed in scripture, they believed that God loved them, and their faith in Christ shaped their lives. They believed that Jesus would return to earth in their lifetime. As members of their community began dying after years of following Christ, and Jesus had not yet returned, the community was left in confusion and fear. How could their bodies die if they lived in Christ? How would they live in Jesus’ new kingdom, if they had already died?

The Apostle Paul answered their questions in a letter, the short biblical book 1 Thessalonians. Paul reminded his friends of the goodness of God in all times and in all places. Like kids soaked to the bone in the Vander Veer fountain on hot days, these people were loved through and through in life and death, and nothing would separate them from Christ.

After assuring them of God’s love, Paul asked the people to turn outward. He asked them to help build each other up with kindness, patience, and prayer for one another. He asked them to face their fear and future uncertainty together, and most of all, he asked them to turn to God, and give thanks for bringing them this far.

In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Giving thanks to God for life, giving thanks for the ways that God is working for good in the world is part of the foundation of a Christian life. Being thankful is part of who we are. It’s how we notice, and hope to notice the immensity, the everywhere-ness of God’s love.

Giving thanks is easy at times, but as frequently, it’s hard to find the words, or remember to give thanks, or to take the time to do it. Giving thanks is a habit. It’s a habit of our hearts — an attitude and a daily turning toward God. It’s also a habit of our bodies as we learn to fold our hands, or hold hands with others before meals. It’s a habit of our bodies as we struggle to keep our eyes open long enough at night to say a quick thank-you to God for bringing us through another day. It’s a good habit. A habit worth keeping or making.

P.S. There have been many changes in the past few weeks. I have successfully completed requirements for ordination as an ELCA pastor, with an ordination service later in the fall. And I have changed my name to Elizabeth L. Hiller.

Elizabeth L. Hiller, pastoral resident,

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