Gratitude – A Writer's Daughter

Sharing the Table

Meal planning is on our minds as the big Thanksgiving feast approaches. We might welcome overnight guests too, requiring even more menu arranging. It’s exciting to share a table with family and friends. At other times however, a shared table happens differently. Good food is planned and prepared and served but as a gift of ministry, when the recipients (those who eat it) are in a time of need.

A local friend of ours lost his 82-year-old dad this fall after a very brief illness. Richard’s father was beloved in his family and well known in a close-knit community. Following the hospital days and making the final arrangements, Richard set out fishing one morning to clear his mind. A close buddy called, wanting to prepare and deliver a meal. Much food had already been given so Richard told his buddy it was not needed, but reflecting on the water with the Lord and his fishing rod, he realized he should not deny his friend the blessing of giving a meal. He called the guy back and told him to go ahead.

What a feast Richard and his family received following the funeral! As he described it, “heaping platters” filled the table — jerk chicken, pork chops, fried shrimp, scalloped potatoes, squash casserole, strawberry spinach salad, and apple crisp. How’s that for Southern fare? True comfort food for sad hearts. Surely, the friend sensed the warmth and love that his generous meal conveyed.

At about the same time, a family member whose husband is deployed was approached by a friend at her church, wanting to help in some way. The friend offered a meal and a date was suggested. It was a thoughtful gesture; ways to ease the strain on military spouses aren’t easily found. As the tentative date came closer, no further updates came through. Maybe this meal would show up or maybe they would reheat leftovers. As the mom and her little ones returned from a walk on the proposed day, her church friend pulled up with dinner in hand. It wasn’t the lavish feast that Richard’s buddy prepared, yet a simple meal of a roast, macaroni and cheese, and broccoli blessed the lonesome family, conveying all the same warmth, love, and generosity of the funeral meal.

As a blessing of gratitude wafts over your Thanksgiving table filled with food and ‘framily,’ remember that God is always in the business of providing for us. Many Scripture stories tell us of how God feeds His people: manna in the wilderness (Exodus 18), the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17 v 7-16), and Jesus’ miraculous feedings of huge crowds*. David the Psalmist King wrote, “Thou preparest a table before me, my cup runneth over” (Psalm 23) and Jesus prayed, “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6 v 11) Delightedly, God sometimes lets us get in on His plan. Savor this pair of shared table stories and the Lord will let you know when.

Preschoolers explore grains as they learn how God fed a starving family through their estranged brother, Joseph (Genesis 45).

*Matthew 14 v 13-21 and 15 v 32-38, Mark 6 v 31-44 and 8 v 1-9, Luke 9 v 12-17, John 6 v 1-14

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Refreshment in July: Thankful for Waiting Rooms

It’s an odd thing to be grateful for, waiting rooms. Specifically, waiting rooms in a doctor’s office or clinic. Though some doctors offer plush lobbies with a stack of great magazines, that’s not the ones I have in mind. I am referring to ones with sterile styling and plasticized upholstered chairs. Though there may be light chatter, more often there is a serious quietude. In these anterooms, one observes unfiltered humanity. It’s like people watching at an airport but with far more pathos. So why would I be grateful for waiting rooms? It’s not the patience factor.

I featured this waiting area photo in a previous blog Hindsight Is 20/20 Pt 2

Experiencing waiting rooms evokes gratitude in me first because I usually see folks who are going through so much more than me. Whatever I may be dealing with that brought me to this place, it is clear that others are suffering and facing more serious, even life-threatening illnesses. It is hard and humbling to see sick people or those going through extreme treatment.

During one wait, my husband noticed a frail, elderly woman come in alone. She checked in and was handed a clipboard of forms that appeared to overwhelm and confuse her. He asked if she wanted help, and he was able to read and write for her until she was called back for her appointment. Another time we ran into a friend of mine and her husband. We greeted each other but didn’t ask any questions; later I found out her husband had advanced cancer. I thank God for the reminder, the wakeup call, about my many blessings, including my health.

I also welcome the opportunity to witness the goodness of mankind in medical lobbies. In the waiting and watching I observe care and concern between families, between friends. I have noticed elderly sisters; husbands and wives, young and old; adult children with a parent; paid caregivers; and other companions accompanying patients. There’s so much to admire and appreciate in the compassion and sacrifice of one to another. One young woman, clearly experiencing difficult illness and treatment, came in with her uncle who lived several states away because her husband had to be out of town on business – heartwarming and heart wrenching all at once. But it is good to see goodness.

Theologians call this goodness “common grace.” It’s the capacity God gives His human creation to do good, as He Himself is good. Doing good is not to be equated with salvation however: salvation comes through faith in Jesus, God’s grace-filled gift to us. The Scriptures say, “ … He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy …” Titus 3 v 5 But our disposition for goodness, despite our sinful selves, uplifts us and ultimately lifts us to acknowledge God, the provider of goodness, compassion, and salvation.

We are grateful for God’s encouraging presence during a recent medical journey.

References on gratitude: Psalm 136, 1 Thessalonians 5 v15 & v18. If you receive my blog via email, thank you. The posts are best viewed at “A Writer’s Daughter”

Friendsgiving to Thanksgiving

Friendsgiving is a newly coined term, referring to a meal and gathering of friends, similar to and around the time of Thanksgiving. You can search its origins as easily as I can, but I first encountered the concept as college students held a Thanksgiving-type buffet dinner together before heading home to their families for Thanksgiving. I continue to hear about Friendsgivings among various communities such as neighborhoods or church small groups.

I do wonder about the emphasis and intent of a Friendsgiving, as opposed to Thanksgiving. Hopefully, it is not the replacement of the family but an extra dose of celebrating with an additional group of people. In other words, an extra chance for great food and fellowship in the harvest season. I also wonder if some individuals use the term Friendsgiving to de-emphasize gratitude or religious significance, but the Friendsgiving events that I’ve known of include giving thanks in their celebration among friends.

My daughter-in-law shared this photo from a recent Friendsgiving.

A holiday devoted to giving thanks by feasting together is splendid and accurately regards American history. Thanksgiving is Biblical too. The American event is not, of course, found in the Bible, but giving thanks is a theme throughout Scripture. In the inspired words of 1 Thessalonians 5 v 16-18, Paul famously said to be thankful in everything. The Scripture is a trio of commands: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” [The continual nature of giving thanks is also found in Ephesians 5 v 20, Philippians 4 v 6 and Colossians 3 v 17]

It’s hard to think of always being thankful in light of tragedies, deadly diseases, and waging wars that we hear of too often. Sadly, there will be empty seats at Thanksgiving tables. Psalm 107 v 1 reveals how unconditional gratitude is possible: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good.” Again, we are told to give thanks, but there is more clarification here with a direct and indirect object. We give thanks TO God BECAUSE He is good. The circumstances may not be good by human standards, but God Himself, by definition, is good (think holy, correct, sovereign). Whether you are already half full of turkey and pumpkin pie from Friendsgiving or headed to Thanksgiving with family anticipating a feast and the fellowship, go with a grateful heart to God, for who He is!