“I sing a song of the Saints of God,patient and brave and true …”
I grew up singing that song in church. Did you?
November 1 has for centuries been designated as the day we honor and pray for the saints. In the Bible, the “saints” mentioned in the Psalms and the letters of Paul and John were living, breathing humans for whom we should pray, support, and emulate. Not the ones who are long gone with formal names and days venerated to them like St. John, St. Paul and St. Francis. Not the dead– that is reserved for November 2, All Souls Day. But, All Saints Day is the day we honor and thank God for the ordinary saints – folks just like you and me – who live their lives trying to live out the Gospel.
“They love their Lord so dear, so dear, and His love made them strong; and they followed the right, for Jesus’ sake, the hole of their good lives long…”
You know who they are. They may not have three miracles attributed to them or have been blessed by a pope, but their lives have influenced others to turn to Jesus. They are the ones we recall have been strong in times of turmoil, and positive even when it seemed the worse was happening to them. They are the ones who are there when we need them, who reach out a hand, and take the time to call even when it is not convenient for them. They are the ones we go to when we need clarity. The ones who know the Word because it is so a part of their lives. They are the ones who will wear out their knees in the wee hours for a stranger they heard or read about. Thy are the ones who silently scrub the commodes in the church or mow the lawn and never want any recognition.
“…you can meet them in school, or in lanes or at sea, at church, or on trains, or in shops, or at tea…”
Think of the saints who have influenced you. If they have passed on, thank God for them. If they are still on earth, why not write them, call them or even text them. Tell them you are praying for them. But above all, thank them for being a shining example of what defines being a follower of Christ. Let them know how much they have meant to you in your faith walk. Tell them, it is partially because of them that you can sing–
“…For the saints of God are folk just like me, and I mean to be one, too.”*
*Words by Lesbia Scott (b. 1898)
Where Did You Find God Today? 
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