For me, Thanksgiving 2011 has come and gone, and with it, I'm afraid to say, took with it many of the cherished and sacred traditions that ushered family, friends and loved ones into the spirit of Christmas. And it seems that with each passing Thanksgiving, families are systematically being separated. And what was once a day of giving thanks, appreciating one another and showing unconditional love, is being reduced to an up-scaled drive-by meals-on-wheels where family members drive-by for a meal on their way to various other destinations. And as I was sinking into the reality of the moment, my heart was filled with the song that says, "Time is filled with swift transition, Naught of earth unmoved can stand, Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand." And while I realize that upcoming generations march to the beat of a different drummer from me; I too marched to the beat of a different drummer from my parents, yet, the timeless traditions that make Thanksgiving a God-moment and family event is critical to be taught, observed and lived out.
In reality, Thanksgiving is more than the Pilgrims and Plymouth Rock; it is a biblical mandate from God found in the Old Testament book of Leviticus. In Leviticus, God ordained a practice of specific instructions to show gratitude. Clearly, gratitude is the door that opens peace in our hearts. God's design for mankind is that giving thanks means receiving peace. Giving thanks in the Bible is the formula for peace, because when we are truly thankful to God, we can be at peace with ourselves, and when we are at peace with ourselves, being at peace with others becomes easier. Sometimes, we go all year long searching for peace, and somehow find it during the season of Thanksgiving; much like when all hell is breaking lose in our lives and we cannot wait to get to church to fellowship with the saints and be at peace.
Not so long ago, Thanksgiving carried with it great expectations of love, fun and fellowship. Food was the main course; football was the desert while catching-up conversations served as snacks and appetizers. The family would sit around for hours mending fences, securing relationships and sharing a love that transcended any and all circumstances. By the time Thanksgiving was said and done, everybody disbursed with lots of left-over’s, memories and the anticipation of Christmas when they would get back together to extend the timeless traditions of old.
I know my children's generation is different from mine, and I appreciate their lives of self-expression and self-indulgences that carry with it a value system that fits the circumstances of their lives. And while I appreciate and love them for being themselves, I also appreciate and love a God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. I appreciate and love a God who established the timeless blessing of loving us in spite of us and the timeless encouragement of love, peace, hope, joy, grace and mercy; for without these timeless blessings and encouragements from God, how could we praise, worship and adore the One who made it possible for us to be grateful and thankful in the first place. The timeless tradition of Thanksgiving; I hope you are able to extend the time and the tradition during your lifetime; savoring every moment not knowing when it will be your last.
