So I am sitting in my office working on some "Thanksgiving" media for Sunday's service and it got me thinking. When I was a little kid, Thanksgiving was way down the list as far as holidays went.
Obviously Christmas topped the list, it tops every kid's list.
Next was Halloween ... costumes, Jack-O-Lanterns, candy ... are you kidding me? What a great day to be a kid.
Beyond that the childhood holidays kinda blur ... Valentine's Day landed you some good candy. Easter may have provided an Easter basket, or a new church outfit (which promptly got it demoted on the "kid's list of holidays").
But Thanksgiving?
The turkey was always good. I enjoyed watching the Lions and Cowboys games with my Dad. I enjoyed being out of school and seeing my family, but Thanksgiving didn't hold a candle to those other holidays back then ... but now?
I turn 40 in January (wow, when did I turn old ?!?!) and Thanksgiving is just now coming into focus in my life.
Thanksgiving comes into focus as I consider the gift of my wife Melissa, whom I waited 35 years to find.
Thanksgiving comes into focus when I consider the "package deal" of kids (that would be Will, Faith, and Sarah Kate) that I got on my wedding day.
Thanksgiving comes into focus when I think about my two year old baby boy Haddon ... and the fact that the first time I ever got to hold him was on Thanksgiving Day two years ago, a full two weeks after he was born, because he came into this world sick ... very sick ... and now ... he's well ... and for that I am thankful.
As an adult I understand what it is to be thankful for a roof over your head and thankful that I have money to buy my family food and thankful for another year of life ... an abundant life that gets fuller each year because of the gift and sacrifice of God's son.
The turkey will be good again this year, but I can't watch the games with Dad.
He's gone on to take part in a larger feast ...
But even in that I am thankful ... thankful that Jesus' overcame the grave so that I can join my Savior, my Heavenly Father, and my earthly father at that table one day.
This year I'll watch the magic of Christmas through my children's eyes and consider in awe the significance of Easter, but Thanksgiving has moved up the list. Because it reminds me to remember it, ALL of it ... and be truly thankful for all of God's providence and blessings.
And let me just close this post by saying, I am.
