The day before Thanksgiving is that wonderful time when your kitchen looks like a war zone, you run sixteen sinks full of dishwater, and you learn wonderful new ways to work of the calories. Turkey lifting for the biceps, running up and down the stairs to the deep freeze for the legs, peeling butternut squash for the forearms...let me just tell you, I've figured out why I've never found a skin care product with butternut extract in it. It will turn your skin into sandpaper in minutes. I think I will affectionately call it sponge squash - or leach squash from now on.
The Day
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I hope you did to. I was pretty bummed in the beginning about not making it to Oregon with my parents and brothers. However, a little reflection brought some things home to me. Thanksgiving wasn't originally a family event. It was a gathering of those who had survived the year to thank God for preserving them and providing for them. I learned this week that the very first gathering was more like a last meal for the doomed than a feast. It was eating up what was left and assuming they'd die like the rest. Then, William Bradford abolished the socialist form of government they'd been operating on (everyone turning in their crops to a common bank) and opened a free market. Then the men were motivated to work. They realized they could really get somewhere from their efforts. Ah! Freedom! The next harvest, after the free market was introduced, was the first official Thanksgiving - a feast of plenty. There are so many applications here. But let's just say that it was a privilege to spend this Thanksgiving with friends who have trudged through the hard year with us, who have prayed with us, watch us break chains and find freedom. It was a joy to celebrate with those who have survived the year with us and thank God for what He has done, and what He is still going to do. Thank you God!
Memorable moment:
Every Thanksgiving needs something to be remembered by. My favorite childhood one was when Grandpa Lawrence and Granny Pat dressed as pilgrims and made Indian feather headbands for all us grandkids. My favorite young adult one was coming home from Russia and being overwhelmed at the amount of food available to us for one meal, when so many others in the world are starving. Another favorite was a year of hardship and transition for my cousin and I when we took our kids to the space center for the day and went to Cracker Barrel for different - totally against tradition.
This year, we started a fire. The broiling of the marshmallows on the sweet potatoes started a kitchen blaze - which Riley spotted first! When it was done, there was baking soda all over the sweet potatoes, stove, floor, turkey, you name it! We scraped off the sweet potatoes and ate them anyway. The turkey was mostly fine, and we had a lot of good laughs with friends.
Post
The day after Thanksgiving is that wonderful time when your kitchen looks like a war zone, you run sixteen sinks full of dishwater, and you learn wonderful new ways...hey! This sounds familiar. This year, I opted to run to one store at 9 a.m. for one sale item. We haven't thought about Christmas much, and I just couldn't make myself join the hubub. Instead, I've been catching up laundry, cleaning, and thinking through the whole "where to put the couch to use the fireplace and set up a tree" scenario....then off to church tonight where I will meet my husband fresh from his first year in retail on the day after Thanksgiving!
Kid funnies:
This week I was loading the truck for MOPS, Ian and Hayden in tow. I heard Hayden say, "I'm gonna be GOD!" Then Ian, "and I'm Jesus." I wondered what on earth they were talking about, finished situating stuff in the truck and turned to see them wondering dramatically through the smoke from the tailpipe, as they repeated, "I'm God." "I'm Jesus."
Reflection
I wanted to share with you the article my dad wrote for his church newsletter because it's just good. :D
William Scofield has a Thanksgiving message from Psalm 66 called THANKSGIVING IN THREE TENSES.
1st, we need to thank God for yesterday. In Psalm 66:5-6 the Psalmist thanks God for His past works like creation and His faithfulness to Israel. What past works of God in your life do you need to thank God for? How about the family God has put you in, His salvation, His protection and provision, the benefits of church, etc.?
2nd, we need to thank God for today. In Psalm 66:8-9, the Psalmist admonishes God's people to "let the sound of His praises be heard." God keeps us alive and does not allow our feet to slip. We have the opportunity today to praise God for His faithfulness, grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, and guidance. You cannot relive yesterday, but you can make today count and your praises ring.
3rd, we need to thank God for tomorrow. In Psalm 66:4, the Psalmist looks forward to the day when all the earth will worship and praise God. The story of your life is not finished. God is in control and will continue to perfect you until the day of Christ Jesus. Your future is a as bright as the promises of God. Praise God that you are not where you once were, and will not be where you are now. Praise God for the future.
We have much to praise God for. At least that is the way I see it from where I sit. Press On. Pastor Dan
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