O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works. Psalm 105:1-2
When I was boy, Thanksgiving Day was a wonder to me. My mother would have gotten up early to put the turkey in the oven. The days before she would have begun baking the pies – I especially looked forward to her pecan pie! – and the breads. Then on the day itself, after four boys were set loose on a variety of necessary chores, we greeted friends and family as they arrived and Dad got off work. Then the feast began.
As the second of four boys, I remember the rule for eating in our family: one helping of meat and as much bread and mashed potatoes as we wanted – except on Thanksgiving Day! There were as many helpings of turkey, dressing and cranberries as we wanted. This was a feast of food that still makes my mouth water when I think of it. I suspect that anyone looking in on our family would have thought it was a Norman Rockwell painting come to life!
After the meal, the football game would be on the television and card tables would be converted from eating stations into pinochle games – and the festive mood would escalate another two or three notches with loud laughter, teasing and groans from losing hands. This was a feast of fellowship that would last into the night.
At its heart, was a faith we shared. At its core was a spirit of gratitude that we were able to eat and share good times with family and friends. Prayer was said once – at the beginning of the meal, but it was under and through everything else that happened. Though we had lived through some very lean years I remember, God had blessed us. Dad was working. My older brother and I were working – from delivering newspapers to working in a local drug store.
Thanksgiving was simply that: giving thanks to God for the wonders that God had supplied… just like the psalmist reminds us.
I don’t know how you will celebrate Thanksgiving this year. For some of us, this may be the first time we add chairs to the table for sons or daughters – in- laws; others of us may add room for new grandchildren or friends. Some of us will, no doubt, be working and even alone. Others will mark the first of many holidays without that special member of the family. Whatever your circumstances, I pray that this will be a season for counting blessings and giving thanks for what we have received. Amen
