Friday, October 05, 2007

The turkey's bought and sitting at the ready in the freezer, the potatoes waiting on the counter along with the yams and spaghetti squash. Bread cubes have been cut and cans of cranberry sauce await in the cupboard. The pies will be picked up fresh baked from the bakery and Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars are going to be baked. Is your mouth watering yet?

It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. A day when families and friends come together over groaning tables of food to eat, visit, eat, watch football and movies and eat. The holiday is a tradition that I look forward to every year. I love turkey dinner and the family all around.

But I read something today that really pricked my heart. I can't even tell you where I read it but it went something like this: "If a Martian from outer space came on Thanksgiving day and observed the great preparations at your house, might they conclude that your family worships the great turkey goddess."

Ouch. What would one stranger think, with no understanding of Thanksgiving, as he peeked into my home this weekend? Would he discern the true meaning of thanksgiving and what it was that we were celebrating? Would he see everything and everyone focused on preparing the decoations just so? Or would he see my family preparing our hearts for worship service at church? Would he see everyone spending hours preparing enough food for a small army that cannot possibly be eaten by the number of people attending or would he see my family packing a box of Thanksgiving food supplies for a family in need?

Would this stranger observe me saying a prayer of thankfulness for all my "things" or would he see my heart broken in thankfullness for God's great love and mercy and everything Jesus endured upon the cross for my salvation? Would he see my thankfulness as a surface kind of selfish thankfulness, uttered in a quick prayer at the Thanksgiving table or would he see me reach out to the hurting as an extension of that deep thankfulness to God as a constant thing in my life?

Yes, what would this stranger think?

I am pricked in my heart to truly make this Thanksgiving one of deep significance that goes beyond a Turkey dinner and extends past the holiday into my everyday.

O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.

- Samuel F. Pugh

16 comments:

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

When is the actual holiday? Are the traditions the same as ours (beside the food and TV and sports?) Just writing that underscores your point, doesn't it?

Beck said...

I want to copy down that grace for our family dinner on Sunday - beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving Susanne

Cyndi said...

Wow, something to think about!

The past couple of years our family (just the four of us) have gone and spent the week in the woods, with no TV and just the food I could make ahead or prepare in the RV, and it has been so... simple. It has changed how I view Thanksgiving, really.

Thank you so much for sharing this, and happy Thanksgiving!

Laura said...

Well Happy Thanksgiving from one Canadian to another! And thank you for the recipe, I'm printing as I type and will make these up in the morning for dinner at friends tomorrow night. Until this moment I had no clue what to bring...you're the best!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving! My mouth is definitely watering and may your thanksgiving be just that and may it be a blessing to all who observe and or participate!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful thoughts Susanne. Have a wonderful thanksgiving in Canada!

Barbie @ Mamaology said...

Great word Susanne! It is way too easy to get caught up in all the prep work of a HOLYday and not put the correct focus on the Lord. Thanks for the reminder!

I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving there in Canada:) and I'm wishing I could stop by for one of those Pumpkin Bars...mmmmm:)

Karla Porter Archer said...

have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Susanne!

blessings,
karla

Katrina @ Callapidder Days said...

Great things to think about, Susanne.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family! And thanks for the link to the Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars -- they'll be added to my holiday plans!

Melanie @ This Ain't New York said...

wow! Makes me think.

And I remember you celebrating last year. I love hearing about Canadian tradtions and holidays! Thanks for sharing.

Happy "Not Turkey" Day! :>)

Shalee said...

Happy Thanksgiving, O Canada!

Susie said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you. What a great post to remind us before ours is here.

Lori said...

Happy Thanksgiving. Now I am hungry ;)))

Carol said...

You redecorated your blog while I was away. It may take me a bit to get used to the new look.

Happy Canadian Turkey Day!

Lisa Spence said...

I am thankful for you, my blog friend!