Important: Laughter

Two turkeys looking into a crystal ball – Fortune Teller Turkey – “I see you in the navy! Yes, that’s you next to a navy boat…wait…make that a gravy boat.  

Founder of the Feast Carving the Turkey - I know you have all seen pictures of one person carving a turkey in front of a crowd of appreciative onlookers. This will not be happening at our dinner. For safety reasons, the turkey will be carved in a private ceremony. I stress "private" meaning: Do not, under any circumstances, enter the kitchen to laugh at me. Do not send small, unsuspecting children to check on my progress. I have an electric knife. The turkey is unarmed.  It stands to reason that I will eventually win. When I do, we will eat.  

Important: History

In an era not so long ago, (believe it or not, before even I was born) our country was being ripped asunder by internal turmoil’s and differences —much as it is today.

Even in the midst of a terrible civil war, Abraham Lincoln held hope that the nation might once again have "full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union."  Lincoln also said, "The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.” “They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.”  

"It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens . . .  to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience . . .  fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union."  

These words are as true today as when they were spoken by Lincoln in 1863.

  Extremely Important: God’s Love for Us

Thanksgiving, often envisioned through the “lens” (Lens - Photography, see how I did that? But, I digress) of culinary delights, eclipses the act of feasting to personify a deeper significance. While the turkey, with its luscious flavor and aroma, often takes center stage, and the array of side dishes—from creamy mashed potatoes to pie - Yes, in my family pie is a side dish—delights our palate, it is the spirit of gratefulness that truly prevails.

But, who do we need to be grateful to?  Great question!!  We must first express our thanks to God for sending His Son Jesus to redeem us.  We are called to recognize the gifts we may sometimes take for granted. Psalms 23:1 The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want - beautifully encapsulates this sentiment, reassuring us that in our journey through life, we are not left wanting when we walk with our Shepherd.  The flock does not provide for the Shepherd, but the Shepherd provides for the flock. We, as sheep, need to be listening for our shepherd’s voice and respond to His call.

Thanksgiving is a time for laughter, storytelling and gratefulness to God for His blessings towards us. There are far too many blessings from God to us for me to list in this single blog post.  But please consider what God has done for you and thank Him for it.     

The real meaning of Thanksgiving goes far beyond just one day on the calendar; it invites us to develop a mindset of gratitude to God that we can carry throughout the year. This Thanksgiving, as we gather around tables loaded with both food and love, let’s embrace the simple joys that come from being present with one another. Whether surrounded by family or reflecting in solitude, let us cherish not only the feast but also the profound love of God towards us that fills our lives with meaning.  

Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

When Christ died, He died for you individually just as much as if you'd been the only man in the world.   C.S. Lewis  

Thank Him for it!  

Until next Time, have a fantastic Thanksgiving!  

Take care,

Mark