January 7, 2026
Do any of you old-timers remember the “acme” style grocery stores made famous in the 70’s & 80’s, like where every product in the store was generic? The labels and packaging were all black and white, or yellow (I think). Perhaps I might be wrong, but I think Cub Foods started out this way. (And maybe, there was a food store called “Apple Foods” as well. I could be wrong). Anyway…
In the wake of today’s events in Minneapolis, I’m honestly too tired to be thankful for anything specific. My petitions to the Lord today have been specific, but my prayers of thanksgiving have been fairly generic. Truly, I am thankful for so many things (many of which I’ve covered in these blogs); but today, not so much.
I’m thankful to God for the food and shelter he gives; our incomes and jobs; our families; the town in which we live and the church I’m privileged to serve. I’m thankful for my pets, our children, and even to be able to watch and play fun and games. But today, my mind, soul, and spirit are exhausted in the wake of today’s tragedy that occurred on Minneapolis’ streets.
If you’re not aware of what happened, just turn on the news. A woman was killed by an ICE agent. And while so many people are quickly pointing fingers and making assumptions, the day is not yet over, the facts aren’t all in, and life… well, it’s just not that black and white. My intention with this post is not to create a discussion or even attempt to determine why what happened did. I think there’s just times when we’re all left in the dark, and have to realize that life isn’t always so generic or black and white.
Sometimes, honestly, many times, I wish life were more black and white; that light and darkness didn’t always fade or overlap. All’s I know is that God is light, love, and truth, and that in the end (of like, the end of the end), His truth will win and all that’s hidden will be made known. But in the here-and-now, things aren’t always just so black and white, and it’s here in the tension where I have to give thanks. The Apostle reminds us, that in these times, when we don’t know how to pray, the Holy Spirit comes to the rescue.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
Today, I am thankful that God came to this earth in the form of His only and begotten Son Jesus Christ. He came to divide light from dark, evil from holiness, and sin from righteousness. He came to remove the gray and make eternity black and white. And it’s here where I give thanks and pray.
Heavenly Father, today’s events can easily cause our brains to fog and make our world hazy and gray. Cut the fog and shine upon us your light of truth and love. May your Son Jesus return soon, so that the evil in our world is crushed under his foot.