Thankful for Memories...

As I begin this week of Thanksgiving, I can't help but think about all of the holidays that came before. I remember the spreads of food around my grandmother's table as I was growing up. I remember running between families and eating two meals just so we could see everyone. I remember sitting with my brother watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I remember smelling all the wonderful smells of yummy food cooking and being prepared.


When I had my own family I wanted to continue all of those traditions. It took a few years and a few daughters before we settled in on our own traditions. I consider myself blessed because we have been able to consolidate both sides of our families into one Thanksgiving dinner at our home for years. I cooked my first turkey when I was 25. I was petrified that it would not turn out okay. I think my mother was more nervous than I was but Danny and I managed. We still laugh about that turkey. The memories of that day forever etched in our hearts.


I love to decorate my dining room table with fall colors. I love to set up the kids table and cook all the food. Over the years my girls have joined in the kitchen. Our tradition has become that every girl has their favorite dish. We prepare it together each year. There is something about all being together in the kitchen as they grow and change that makes incredible memories. My daughters are so funny. They make fun of the one sister that struggles a bit in the kitchen. They laugh at the one that is so logical that she cannot veer away from the recipe. We cook and bake and laugh and love in our kitchen.


This year for the first time in probably fifteen years, almost everyone is going to be at my house for Thanksgiving. We will have tables full of around 25 people. My heart is overflowing with blessing. I am thankful that family is always family no matter what. I hear so many people who allow the holidays to bring up sad memories or feelings of anger or hurt. They work themselves into a frenzy of past hurts or arguments that threaten to rip a family apart. I have been one of those people at times. I think in one way or another we all have.


As we prepare our hearts and our homes for this time of thankfulness, let's look at it with God's perspective...


While we were still sinners, He sent His son to die for us.
All have sinned and fallen short of His Glory.
From Him, all blessings flow.
In Him, we are restored and renewed and redeemed.


Life changes and we all move from past traditions to new traditions. In the process, a lot of us lose our perspective. But the truth is that none of us can be who we want so badly to be. We fall short. We are weak. We tend to make life about ourselves and our needs and our wants. We want everything around us to be perfect so we can feel safe and secure and loved.


Jesus is the answer to all of those feelings. Whether you have a table full or a table for two. Whether you have a family of believers or a few who have their own views of the world. Whether you all get along like a scene out of Mayberry or whether you look more like a scene out of the Godfather. Whether you have all your loved ones with you or whether this is your first holiday without them. Whether you feel loved or whether you are wondering how you will survive the day.


In spite of all the feelings, Jesus is there. His love will sustain you. His provision is enough. His Grace is sufficient. His strength is shown through your weakness. His power is available. All you have to do is allow Him to join you this year. Open your heart and your home and your table to the One from Whom all blessings flow. 


And be thankful for it all. The past. The present. The future. The good. The hard. The impossible. There are blessings in it all. Let Him open your eyes and show you.

Praise Him from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

AMEN.