Thanksgiving: Now and Always

Now and always.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you most humble and sincere thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all people; We bless you for our creation, preservation, ad all the blessings of this life; but, above all, for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace and for the hope of glory. Give us, we pray, such a sense of all y our mercies that our hearts may be sincerely thankful, so that we declare your praise not only with our lips, but also in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Practically Speaking: Colorful reminders

We have a new tradition this year for Thanksgiving. Like old-fashioned paper Christmas chains, our Thanksgiving chains are draped in seasonal colors cut from old scrap book paper. Writing a word, or very simple idea, we are listing people, things, ideas, or experiences for which we are thankful. This has been an ongoing journey for several days, and has made a special remembrance chain of how God has provided perfectly for us. This is a satisfying keepsake that we will add to for years to come, and perhaps use the idea again in coming holidays.

Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. Inscribe them on the doorposts and gates of your cities so that you'll live a long time, and your children with you, on the soil that God promised to give your ancestors for as long as there is a sky over the Earth.  

--The Message, Deuteronomy 11:18

Living in the Now: Secret Confession

Ok, important disclaimer. This is a tiny thought in proportion (like 2%) to the other true thoughts that weight much heavier in my mind (98&), so you need not think I'm just horrid. You need not correct my thoughts, because I don't feel very teachable right now.

There is a part of me that really dreads Thanksgiving. It is a difficult holiday to develop my own family's traditions. After the on average five Thanksgiving meals all over East TN,  I shudder at the thought of extending any other effort. Its such a tired holiday by the time the weekend is over. There is very little to "do" on this holiday, besides watch football (which I still don't understand), watch an old classic (nostalgic, but we have the loud genes; watching "Its a Wonderful Life" and not hearing a word is disappointing), or nap (YES).

While we are expected at all family meals, I must fairly admit they generously spread out the celebrations, making every meal physically possible (this might be a curse, not a blessing...). But I've always wondered, if we lived out of state would we still be expected to make the family rounds? 

We have been known to write all family off by just leaving and going to the beach. Very clean, very nice.

My friend politely challenged me to just say "no" to whichever celebration I most dread. It was the most shocking thing I've ever considered. The sun might not rise. Maybe I need to be needed in the tradition. Or, maybe its worth giving up a bit of what I prefer, knowing it means so much to other family members. Not to mention all of our other family holidays never feel stressful, so maybe I shouldn't complain since it could always be worse.

This year's compromise: stash a special pie, buy a big bottle of wine, and watch "Step Brothers" with our favorite friends at the end of the marathon. Who, it turns out, feel exactly like we do. We will rendezvous at sunset, satisfied that we have loved our family the way they want, and delighted to eat pie without any rules or editing. The best of both worlds.

Celebrating survival.