Years ago, when I was a young pastor and my wife, Julane, was a young pastor’s wife, we were invited by another young couple, who were friends, to Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis for a Young Marrieds Dinner Event.

I considered it fortuitous that we were seated at the head table with Pastor Paul M. Youngdahl and his wife, Nancy. Little did I expect that he would ask me to bless the meal with a table prayer. I felt very honored to do so!

The table conversation was delightful, and I was especially appreciative of the opportunity to ask a few questions.  

“What is the most important task you do during the week between Sundays?”

Without hesitation, he answered, “Most importantly, I write a minimum of 50 thank-you letters every week! Nothing else is more important!”

No one taught me this important lesson in seminary or at the university. I do remember learning in elementary school (we called it “grade school”) the proper format for writing a business letter or a friendly letter — even the unnecessary letter.

Now, years and years later, when I pause to think on Thanksgiving Day, the multitude of reasons for thankfulness literally overwhelms me! An attitude of gratitude is virtually unavoidable!

When the Anderson generations gather around our Thanksgiving table each year, it is our annual practice to have each family member repeat the one thing or person or experience for which they are most thankful this season.

In this way, our family story is told out loud like chapters of a book of gratitude.

Another practice is to recall and share stories of persons who have provided the best role models of sincere gratitude.

In my experience, the bishop’s wife, Ruth, comes to mind.

As my bishop, Melvin Hammarberg, neared retirement, he began a practice of hiring a seminarian to help him every Saturday with projects around the parsonage — everything from raking leaves to doing finish carpentry in his basement library and study, which he called his “escape hatch.”

Ruth prepared a nice noon lunch, and at the end of the day she reached out with both hands to hold mine and said, “I am so very thankful.”

Years later, at my final pastoral visit at her deathbed, those words were the last and lasting words she spoke to me.

They were also the last and lasting words I spoke in the cemetery at her graveside service of committal:

“I am still so very thankful!” 

Editor’s note: Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) contributor Pastor Rod Anderson also serves on the EPLN Board of Directors. He was the senior pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie. 

Interested in contributing a faith-based column to EPLN? Email editor@eplocalnews.org.