November 2026 Connection

As kids, my sister and I loved to listen to music on road trips with our family. One of
the songs we got a kick out of was “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell: 

“They took all the trees, and put 'em in a tree museum
And they charged the people a dollar and a half to see them.
No, no, no.
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot”

We thought the idea of a “tree museum” sounded kind of funny, and we certainly didn’t understand the earnestness of the message, but from time to time, I find myself singing it, reflecting on those timeless words, “you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone.”

During this season of Thanksgiving – literally, “giving thanks” – I try to focus in on the
things that I’m thankful for. For my family, my friends, my faith, the comforts around me... and so much more! But one thing that never ceases to amaze me is how much gratitude I have for the things that are no longer part of my life anymore.

Sometimes, the absence is caused by something significant: loss of a loved one, for example. My dad passed away at the age of 66 in 2018, and my mom only six or seven years later at the age of 67. I miss them every day and give thanks for all that they were to me and to our family. I can truly say that I have a much deeper appreciation for their love and impact on my life now that I can’t call and say “hi” each day, seek their advice, or spend holidays with them.

Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone?

Other times, the absence can be chalked up to the mere changing of life’s seasons.
For the last couple of months, I’ve been in physical therapy trying to rehab my left
arm after a year of dealing with Tennis Elbow (and I don’t even play tennis!) After a
few doctors’ appointments, therapy, and even a simple procedure, my arm just isn’t
what it used to be. While I have never been a power lifter, I do miss the thoughtless
ease of lifting things without pain or regret.

Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone?

I could go on and on, and you could probably add your own examples of missing
things even after they’re gone. This is a very human experience, and one that is
universal, I might add.

It’s interesting, isn’t it? Our acknowledgement that we don’t fully understand or appreciate something until we don’t have it is closely linked to gratitude! While I’d love to do a better job of appreciating what is right in front of me right now, I realize that I will likely miss some things. You see the truth of the song is this, sometimes, we don’t realize how grateful we are until the thing we’re grateful for...isn’t with us anymore. And so, I want to face this hard truth head on and invite you to join me in an exercise. It’s really not hard, and tennis elbow won’t get in the way.

1. Take a moment to consider 5 things that you are thankful for that are no longer part of your life: (family members, abilities, places, experiences). Once you do, instead of just lamenting them, take time to express thanks to God that those things, people, places, and times were part of your life.
2. Next, name 5 things that you are thankful for that are part of your life right now. Again, think family, abilities, places, experiences, etc.). Similarly, give thanks to God for those current realities.
3. Finally, now that you’re warmed up, name 5 things that you are thankful for as you envision the potential of your future, and give thanks to God for those hopeful eventualities. For example, I can imagine the possibility of having grandchildren one day. I am thankful to get to be at their T-Ball games! You get the idea?

You see, if we limit ourselves to only acknowledging the good things that have come and gone, we can miss out on the good things that God is doing right now. And, even then, if we stop at what is only right in front of us, we miss out on joining God’s immense creative imagination for what can be.

As you try this exercise, perhaps it’s something you want to do once a day, once a week, or just as you have the opportunity this season. My suspicion is that you will come to discover something: God is the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow! And THAT, is some good news!

With gratitude,
Pastor Brian