Thanksgiving
I am very particular when it comes to turkey, how it tastes and the dishes that are served with it. And I'm not that crazy about turkey so I'm content to have it once a year, eat it for left overs for several days in turkey sandwiches with copious amounts of Miracle Whip, lettuce and pickles and then not touch it again until the next year. I've suggested for several years that we should have a different theme to celebrate our thanks -- like Mexican or Italian. But alas, no one at the church is particularly fond of that idea!
When the list went up for the dinner, I complained yet again to Jim. After a couple of weeks of grumbling, I finally signed up for the "other meat" category, salad and dessert. I was determined not to eat anything related to "my" thanksgiving meal so I ended up bringing ham, salad and a spice cake made with pumpkin, caramel and Cool Whip.
You might wonder if I am so adverse to eating my Thanksgiving dinner before its time, whyI CHOOSE to go. Well, 1) because that's where the family is, and 2) it always turns out to be a very special time. This year was no different.
Each year at the Harvest dinner, families bring canned food and other items to give to a family in our area that we know is in need. This year we chose to bring food for a family that has been visiting our church that just moved to Crowley from Nairobi, Kenya. The husband and wife have been working a job that requires that they stand on their feet from 4 pm until 2 am. They don't get home until 5 am and then they have to get their children to and from school only to repeat again.
When the dinner started, I was just a little disappointed when Davies and Leah weren't there. But, there were many people to talk with and kids to feed so I didn't dwell on it. While we were eating, the family came in -- I was so excited I jumped from my chair and met them at the door. I showed them where to get food and went back to my food. Not too long after, I saw Jim pointing to food items on the table and talking with them. It never ocurred to me that Thanksgiving might not a recognized Kenyan holiday and even if it were, it probably isn't celebrated in the same fashion as here.
After the meal, Pastor led us in creating a picture with stickers that make up a turkey. We were to work as a family and come up with one thing that our whole family was thankful for. As we were sitting at the same table with our Kenyan friends, it was funny to watch as they struggled to create the turkey. But it was so touching when it came time for them to share what they were thankful for. They were thankful for our Lord, to whom all praises are given, for their family and for our church family. It was very special.
Just before we prayed, I stood to tell everyone about the basket, which was complete with a spiral cut ham, roast chicken and other Thanksgiving fixings. It appeared that they were speechless. I'm not sure that they knew what to expect or even why we gave them food. After a brief pause, the father stood up and thanked the church family for their kindness and praised God for our church. His beautiful words were just what I needed to hear...
I confess...all too often I forget the blessings God has given me -- health, family, a job, church family, freedom to worship as I please, and so much more. In many countries people don't have enough food to get them through the day much less the luxury of whining about the food choices. So in this season of thanks, I confess my selfishness, discontent, irritation and all things unholy and ask God to replace it with all things lovely, wonderful and pure. And most of all, I thank God for the lessons I have learned from our new family from Kenya.
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