The front door opens. Hugs and kisses abound as family members greet one another. Tantalizing aromas fill the air – you can smell the distinct dishes as you step through the front door. The table is set with the good dishes and the chairs from every room are strategically placed around the fully extended dining room table making room for every guest. You’ve been looking forward to this day since the leaves began turning gold; the annual feast with all the traditional food. Special care has been taken to make sure everyone’s favorite food has been prepared. What a fantastic American Holiday!
All the serving platters are set out. Potatoes, stuffing, yams….. Uh-oh, something’s wrong. Where’s the turkey? Seriously? No Turkey? If you’re going to forget something make it the cranberry sauce, even the corn but it can’t be Thanksgiving without the turkey!
A ridiculous and somewhat scary thought yet in all our traditional details we typically forget something else …Thankfulness. Now, you may think you know where I’m going with this but stay with me for a few more lines. Chances are, if you are reading this blog, you are a Christian and as such you are duly inundated with the holiday platitudes of remembering to thank God for all your blessings. Let’s take a bit of a detour, shall we.
Who is thankful for you? And why? Take a moment to reflect on the last ten and a half months. How much time have you spent investing in someone else’s life? Who can now walk through life a bit more equipped because of your influence? How many people are sitting at their own family meal whispering a prayer of thanks because of your friendship?
This isn’t meant to be a reproof - not at all. It is intended rather, to bless you. You – the nursery worker who allows young moms to sit in a service feasting on spiritual delicacies while formula is offered to you in its digested state. You – the great listener to everyone’s problems. You – the caretaker of the aging parent, the terminally ill, or the chronically ungrateful. You, the cheerful giver who makes it possible for the Gospel of Christ to be preached. You – the faithful volunteer who works for hours at a ministry after working a full time job. You – the prayer warrior who goes without sleep to intercede for the needs of others. You who live out Romans 12 by presenting yourselves a living sacrifice because it is your reasonable service and worship to your Savior. You, the ones written of in Philippians 1:3. People of whom others can say, “I thank God every time I think of you.”
So this Thanksgiving Day, as you look upon the turkey in all its glory, please remember to add one more tradition. Remember that your life is a blessing to others. And if by chance no one else mentions it, I’m giving thanks for you.
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