A FAMILY THANKSGIVING

 

Thursday, November 21, 2024

 

A FAMILY THANKSGIVING

 

Gen 18:17-19

17 And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

 

          At Thanksgiving, our household will gather three generations. I, the grandfather, sit at the end of the table furthest away from the flurry of cooking and serving. I sit there. When all is ready, I offer thanks for food, health, love, and many other blessings. Any one of the others could pray, but I am honored, at every meal, to offer the blessing.

 

          Our nation, and our world, is so divided by policies and perceptions that the family unit and unity is greatly challenged. Differences threaten but love and forgiveness provide the glue that bonds us together. The very differences define our commitment to one another. Our family is multi-generational and even multi-cultural. Grown children and grandchildren are intelligent and diverse. Moreover, we are all opinionated.

 

          This weekend the granddaughters arrive, one with her husband. They will assemble the trees and decorate them. Yes, more than one, although the grandparent’s apartment faces the street, so our tree stands by the window.  Oh, how I love to see them arrive. They bring gifts, their own uniqueness, roaring laughter, and clutter. How I love it, and them.

 

Ps 68:6

6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

 

Thank You, Lord, for my wonderful family. AMEN