It is hard to believe we are talking Thanksgiving already. Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, New Years are all lined up, like ships waiting to dock at port. Amy and I have just returned from the once in a lifetime experience of the fall Pastor’s Conference at sea! The Mid-South District sponsored a cruise as a way to show their appreciation to the many pastors who work tirelessly throughout the year serving their flocks and shepherding their people. Thank you to all who contributed and worked very hard at the district office to make this a success and to Grace for providing the opportunity for us to go.
I will tell you right off – I am not a water person. I don’t swim and like to keep my feet on solid ground. Amy, on the other hand, loves the water and swimming. A cruise would be just her thing… except for the severe case of motion sickness that haunts her like the plague. Yes, she has patches, pills, acupuncture, the works. She did pretty well, with only a couple of incidents, until the 4th day (Thursday) when the seas were so rough (the wind blowing about 40 mph) that the ship couldn’t even dock for our onshore excursion to Progreso, MX. From then on, she was confined to the cabin for most of the rest of the trip. I am very thankful that she is a trooper and was able to endure.
We were able to go onshore Wednesday and take a guided tour of Cozumel. We were blessed by an awesome tour guide, Alex, but the area was definitely not what I expected. As soon as we left the port area it was evident that the brochures you see aren’t reality. The area is very poor. Homes are cement block buildings in various states of ruin. Trash on the roadsides is common. Everything seems old and depressed. People are struggling to get by. We toured a Catholic church with beautiful stained-glass windows but was pretty run down according to our standards. We went to a traditional market where people strive to earn a meager living. We visited an orphanage which, surprisingly, was in much better condition than anything we had seen thus far. Except for the large items of debris that littered both sides of their entrance road. Water heaters, tubs, refrigerators, sinks, you-name-it, decorated the landscape.
The cruise reminded me of the cruel reality that many people live and exist in. It made me uncomfortable, maybe even a little embarrassed. Taking a tour of the downtrodden in the comfort of an air-conditioned van seems wrong. Cruises are known for overindulgence and the abundance of food, drink, gambling, shopping. As cruise ship after cruise ship docks in this port and the many like it, we flaunt our wealth to those less fortunate. I do understand that these cruises are an important part of their economy, but where is our compassion for our fellow man? And we don’t have to go to Mexico to see it; there are many places right here in the USA that suffer from the same affliction. It made me thankful for what I have, for what we have.
It made me think about the words, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1ESV) Also “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.” (Psalm 51:1) We can and should rejoice with a spirit of thanksgiving for all that the Lord has done for us all year long. But especially with the holiday of abundance that is soon to dock at the pier, let us not sin and forget our fellow man, many who struggle to have food, shelter, and clothing. We have many opportunities to give; Nourish, Trinity Hope, Salvation Army, the Rescue Mission, the Mid-South District’s Disaster Relief Fund are all worthwhile causes. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, be a blessing to them, as Christ has blessed you. And to God be the Glory!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Pastor Al
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