A joyous Thanksgiving Day to you! John’s letter reminded his readers that in Jesus, and in us, the grace of our invisible God becomes visible. That’s why it matters so much that our family, friends and other human contacts see God’s grace in and through us, even (or perhaps especially) as we share holiday time together. We have much for which to give thanks, and God’s grace heads the list.

• The apostle John emphatically did not believe that following Jesus should make a person judgmental or unloving! Methodism’s founder John Wesley quoted John’s words, urging, “Let us provoke all men, not to enmity and contention, but to love and good works; always remembering those deep words … ‘God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him!’” In what ways has following Christ made you and your relationships more loving and grace-filled?
• “No one has ever seen God,” John observed. List the names of the people in your life who have helped to make the grace of the unseen God visible to you. If you are with any of them today, be sure to tell them about the impact they’ve had on your life. Otherwise, send them a note or give them a call to express your gratitude. For whom are you making God’s grace visible?