Dr. Charles W. Judd

For the Mirror

Wow! What a beautiful autumn season we have been blessed to experience this year in the Pacific Northwest! I have so enjoyed the beautiful multi-colored leaves as they have changed into their ongoing and various shades of gold, red and brown.

With the changing color of the leaves and the brisk morning chill in the air, I am often taken back to my childhood memories of kicking the leaves while walking home from school and playing football with the neighborhood kids. All of this would remind me that it wouldn’t be long until we would be entering the holiday season, beginning with the day of Thanksgiving.

It would be at Thanksgiving that many of our relatives would sometimes drive hundreds of miles to be with family members and friends for this festive occasion. The aroma of the golden roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, the cornbread dressing, and pumpkin pies, all cooked with great skill and love, was a heavenly feast for this young boy!

I also remember how the food was really, really good, but it was the loving family relationships and friendships that made the day extra special. All of this in spite of different personalities, political views or various and many other differences. The respectful and loving caring interest and great conversations that would often take place spontaneously amongst one another is a memory I will always treasure.

Today, as a pastor in a local church, this is the kind of atmosphere and family environment that I try to cultivate on an ongoing basis within our church family. Nearly 2,000 years ago during another holiday, the celebratory Passover feast, Jesus said, “By this all will know you are my Disciples, by the love you have for one another.”

As you enter this holiday season, I want to encourage you to very intentionally write down all of the many things you have to be thankful for and share it with your family and friends. I think you will be pleased with the change it can bring to your attitude and perspective.

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you His peace.” Numbers 6:24

Be blessed and be a blessing.

Dr. Charles W. Judd (Pastor Chuck) is the lead pastor for Church of the Nazarene. For more information, visit www.federal waynazarene.org.