From Living Faith, 2017. By Amy Welborn
Thanksgiving is coming in a few days. It's a time of gratitude, which we often celebrate by gathering with those we know best within familiar walls. It's what I'm inclined to do. But is there another way? Last Thanksgiving, a local restaurant offered a free meal. If you could pay, fine, and any money would go to a shelter. If you were unable to pay, that didn't matter. The doors were open, the table was set, and you were welcome to the feast. St. Elizabeth of Hungary, noble-born, might easily have focused her days on preserving her way of life behind protective walls and closed doors. But she heard the call of Christ, especially as mediated through St. Francis. And she responded. She was willing to lose her life for Christ and for his poor. My life is a gift. I'm grateful. How do I live that out? By holding on tighter--or by letting go?
