Give Thanks for the Fellowship You Have
If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even where there is no great experience, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith, and difficulty; if on the contrary, we only keep complaining to God that everything is so paltry and petty, so far from what we expected, then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow according to the measure and riches which are there for us all in Jesus Christ.
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
It’s easy to romanticize Christian community—expecting deep conversations, strong faith, and spiritual richness every time we gather. But as Bonhoeffer wisely points out, most of our communities are marked by weakness, small faith, and ordinary struggles. Still, these imperfect fellowships are gifts. When we grumble about what’s lacking, we block the very growth and grace God wants to bring through those around us. Gratitude is not reserved for perfect places—it’s the seed that helps imperfect places grow.
Even in small circles and simple gatherings, Christ is present. When we give thanks for the fellowship we have—not just the one we wish we had—we open the door for deeper connection and transformation. God doesn’t ask us to wait for ideal community before we begin to love and serve. He asks us to receive what He’s already given with grateful hearts. So today, pause and give thanks—not for the fellowship you dream of, but for the one you’re in. Christ is there. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics