"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 (NKJ)
My mother was a passionate and marvelously industrious soul. She worked hard and was a continuously creative problem solver, a sincerely caring friend, and a genuinely loving heart. She wasn't perfect by any means - she faced struggles with her humanity as we all do, but in honest thought I've come to recognize that what made her so special was her reflection of Christ's heart and spirit. Above all else, it was that heart and spirit that made her joyful, beautiful and left many with a favorable and memorable impression of her. It's an impression that wasn't lost on her son.
I lost her presence on earth some time ago and I've had time to reflect on the characteristics that stood out in her, were attractive, and what it was that made her seem special to many who knew her well. I came to realize that it was her love for Christ and the essence of His character and His spirit in her that moved her, motivated her, and shone through her far more brightly than her human imperfections. It was Jesus in her that spoke to people and He who made her love-able.
You might be wondering what all of this has to do with Thanksgiving ...
I know ... I'm getting there.
One of the many things that I learned from the Old Testament was that festivals and special holidays were important to our God. He had Israel set aside certain times for the observance of certain things and although here in current America, those particular observances may not be prevalent among the masses, there are some that are more widely observed among Christians and the American populace. These holidays are promoted most widely by retailers looking to profit from them, by revelers looking for an excuse to have a good time and some just looking for an escape from the seemingly endless routine.
Most holidays - at least as they're promoted in the media have become reasons for commerce and little, if anything else. Easter represents candy, clothes & food. Christmas represents expensive gifts, alcohol and food. 4th of July is revelry, outdoor cooking & patio equipment, alcohol & food. And Thanksgiving ... food, tableware and alcohol. These things weren't always the focus and these aren't the only holidays observed.
For some of us, "holidays" as they're called, actually represent something - they have a meaning. Some of those holidays have been said to overlap, or were intended to replace, pagan ones. I don't concern myself with that. I'm most concerned with what they mean to me and how I honor the God who created me by my observance of them within that meaning and within my relationship with Him. My mother was my best example.
My mother use to make all of the major holidays special, sometimes with hours of preparation, but make no mistake - "things" weren't her major focus. Growing up, our family was thankfully, less than "well off" financially. This meant that the largest Christmas present we might find at times on Christmas morning was a pair of knitted slippers that mom spent many late evening hours knitting or a home made marble bag full of marbles and a stocking filled with peanuts and an orange. But I tell you that the spirit that filled the house on those days was the sweetest imaginable and it emanated from a woman full of the meaning of the day and reflecting Jesus with a light that shown from deep within her and it was wonderfully infectious. Looking back, I know that was the biggest gift that I could have received because it's never left me to this day.
But of all of the major holidays, there was one that was more special to my mother than the others and she shared which that was with me when I was in my early teens. I've never forgotten what she said and I've never neglected to hold it sacred (along with others) in my own heart since. It was Thanksgiving. "Thanksgiving" she said, "is a special opportunity to give thanks to God for all of His goodness and for all of the blessings that He's blessed us with". And her demeanor so filled with sincerity and awe filled gratitude left no room for doubt that she was fully inhabited by a spirit of gratefulness for the things that she mentioned and that her mind was busy tabulating the weight of them. It was the day for the giving of thanks - not just "Thanksgiving". It was sacred to her ... and it's been sacred to me as well ever since.
"You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm" 118:28-29 (NLT)
"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 (NKJ)
Teach them well the pathway to real life while you have them or the world will teach them its version.
"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NLT)
Comments
Post a Comment