First Thanksgiving

Still, quiet…I sit here at the house looking out the front window at a leaf (shades of brown) covered ground and mostly barren trees though the big oak is still holding quite a few brown leaves. This year I have spent so much time here (at my parent’s home) and watched the seasons change. I watch as the barrenness of winter transformed into a beautiful spring with very early warm, pleasant days. Soon the summer heat was blistering with record highs and drought conditions. Such picturesque fall colors have now mostly faded, fallen away, as winter makes its return. So much I have seen and experienced in this year, so many changes, so much has changed…and I sit here by myself on this day after Thanksgiving with so many thoughts flooding my mind. In a year with so many firsts, this first Thanksgiving without Dad just added to the list. We had talked about who would sit at the head of the table, whether or not to leave the chair empty, but as we approached the table it became clear that the youngest (sixteen month old), Sean Michael (my grand nephew), should do the honors. Although he will not remember, he will see the pictures, and as he grows I (we) will share with him and let him know, tell him about his Papa. So it was also fitting that I say, offer up the blessing and giving of thanks. When I said “Amen”, to a chorus of others, my sister Tina spoke Dad’s words, as he always remembered to pray for “those less fortunate than us”. To that I added “and those in nursing homes and hospitals”. How many time I heard you pray for these, Pop…you always remembered but also reached out and ministered to them. Always expressing thanks for God’s grace, for where would we be without it? So blessed, so much to be thankful for, such abundance, so much…and you always remembered and expressed sincere thanks.

My Pop, you always remembered where you came from, your roots deep down in such humble beginnings, “if my Daddy could see me now…he would think me rich”. So I sit here now reaping the benefits, the blessings…thank you, Pop! Thank You, Abba! The only son of my Father (an only son) who was fatherless at age nine, I am. Today I remember and give thanks for the time we had together here and for the eternity we will spend together when I, too, cross that river to join you. As I prayed and remembered so many out there without family, food, shelter, a place to call home I’m reminded of the call to reach out, minister to them, to share the blessings You, my Father, have so richly lavished upon me, Your precious gift of grace.

So much we ate, so much extra…so many with so little, so many without, so many hungry, and yet so many with such abundance…why am I so fortunate? Why do I have so much? It kind of made my stomach churn…so much food and yet so many hungry…Oh Father, help me, show me what to do, how to share the blessing, to share Your grace.
(excerpted from my personal journal 11-23-07)

Why Thanksgiving?

Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? For what are we to give thanks? To Whom are we to give thanks? May the proclamation of our first president, establishing this holiday (holy day), help us to focus in on it's true meaning. Take time to remember, share, and give thanks!


George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation
WHEREAS, It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor;
WHEREAS, Both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted' for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have show kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
--George Washington - October 3, 1789

Remembering

Where do I begin? What do I say in my first post? To begin the year of 2006 I sent out a devotional/prayer e-mail on each Monday. These were mainly excerpts from my personal journal. Somehow at some point I got out of the habit and so much has happened in the in between. Recently one person I used to mail out to told me she missed my e-mails. So, here I am with my new blog site and ready to share again. It is my prayer that what is written and shared here will be a blessing and encouragement to all who partake of it. That it may be food and drink to the soul, delivered to me by the Bread of Life and Living Water to share with you.
"Blessed are all those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be fed"-Jesus

Seems as though the very early, even the pre-dawn moments of the morning are the most precious and intimate with my Father, my Abba. Jesus knew it was a special time, a needed time, and He set an example. Surely if Jesus needed this private time with His Father then how much more do I? I seem to have a more tender, open spirit in the stillness and quiet and I remember the words of the LORD in Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God..."

So, early this morning I listened and I wrote and now I share.
One Hope, Jesus Christ...
One Lord, Jesus Christ...
One Spirit, Holy Spirit...

(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) This body is Your temple, not mine own...bought at a price (1 Peter 1:18-19)...therefore to glorify God. Remember the price, remember the passion, remember the cross, remember that Jesus did that all for you, Jesus paid it all for you...look, turn your eyes on Jesus, focus on Jesus, enduring the cross for you, look full into His face and what do you see?

Amazing grace...
Amazing love flowing down,
From hands and feet that were nailed to a tree,
That grace flows down and covers me.

That is why Jesus came...to seek and save, to give His life for me (to me), to willingly lay it down, to ransom my soul, to offer Himself up for me...my Lord, my Savior, my salvation, my Jesus.
Oh to be one with You,
Oh to be more like You,
Oh to be transformed into Your image and likeness,
Oh to love You more and love more like You,
Oh to be full of grace and truth,
Oh for Your glory to shine,
Oh that others see You in me,
Oh that others see You through me.

At this time of year when I remember and celebrate Your coming into this world, I also remember anew and afresh the reason You came. You came, Jesus, to pay the highest, immeasurable price that only You could pay, for the greatest, immeasurable, eternal gift ever .
So, I would live a life of cherishing and sharing the gift, Your gift of grace and eternal life.
So, I would live a life of thanksgiving not only at this time of the year but every moment of every day. Thank You Abba! Thank You Jesus! Thank You Holy Spirit, my constant companion!
Today You minister to me, encourage me, focus me, love me. This day You help me remember...I need Your help, I need You, I need to remember and give thanks!

Family Thanksgiving 2006