The Best Thanksgiving

 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

November was even colder than usual. Snow was falling. Thanksgiving Day arrived with elegant grace. They took this day one breath at a time to savor it. A time together for simple joys, laughter, and well-worn jokes.

This year the feast was prepared by a local restaurant. Mom’s illness was taking its toll and she just couldn’t summon the energy. One custom remained unchanged, however. They all gathered around the table to state their many blessings.

Dad spoke first. “Mom’s chemo isn’t working; the cancer is spreading. “We have two options: start a more aggressive chemical routine that would make Mom pretty ill and her immune system would be dangerously compromised. Option 2 is to do nothing… and keep Mom comfortable.”

“We’ve sought expert advice, we’ve considered your opinions, and we’ve prayed over this as well. We are choosing the latter. Today, we are especially grateful for this time together, and for the time we have remaining. God has blessed us richly. We have no regrets.”

There was a long silence. Hearts raced. Breaths quickened.

The oldest child spoke first. “Courage is often measured in how hard and long we fight. We’re taught to never give up. But the greatest courage is to have the strength to accept God’s will. Jesus did so when he died at Calvary. Mom - your faith, your courage, and your passion make this the best Thanksgiving ever.”

The middle child spoke next. “You’ve given us so much love, Mom. We adore you. We’ve tried to bring to life the lessons that you taught us. You set the example by which we learned to give, to love, and to receive. Your legacy will remain long after your body lets go. For these things, this is the greatest Thanksgiving ever.”

Words came softly now from the youngest child, the last to leave home and perhaps the most reliant on his mother. “Mom,” he began choking back tears, “we’ll never let go of you. In times of grief, I’ll wrap myself in one of your afghans and dream that you’re holding me in your arms, and caring for me the way you always have. I love you Mom, and always will. Thank you for making this the most grateful Thanksgiving ever.

Finally, it was time for Marie to speak. She spoke like never before - with conviction, with compassion, and without fear.

“Thank you all. I’m not afraid to die. I look forward to reuniting with my parents, my siblings, and of course my Lord. This could be my last Thanksgiving on earth, but it will not be our last Thanksgiving together.”

“These past few weeks have been some of the most wonderful of my life. I’ve watched you mature.”

“I’ve marveled at your caring ways. Your faith thrills me. This disease did not bring bitterness – but a warmth of spirit that gives me peace knowing that you will adjust. Nothing can separate us!”

“Now, I’d like to offer a toast to my beautiful family around this table:

Bless us, Lord. Keep our feet firmly planted in the past; our minds keenly absorbed with the present; and our minds directed unafraid toward the future. The time to be happy is now, the place to be happy is here; the way to be happy is to make others so.” ~ Marie

Thanks for the Giving

 "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." ~ 1 Chronicles 16:34

It was the day before Thanksgiving ­ the first one they’d be spending without their father, who’d left the family for another woman months before. She hadn't planned a big meal because both kids were sick with the flu.

It was a cool, gray day; a light rain fell. Kayla grew weary trying to care for each child. She needed some medicine for Maya and Jaden. She checked her purse. All she found was some loose singles that had to last until the end of the month.

A knock at the front door broke her moment of despair.

A woman she knew from their church handed Kayla an envelope. “We think of you and the kids often,” she said, “and know that things have been difficult since Mason left.” She added, “We love you!” before turning and walking away.

Kayla opened the envelope and found a grocery gift certificate inside worth $50. So humbled by the generous gift, she broke down and sobbed.

At the grocery check-out counter, she’d picked up some medicine and about $9.00 worth of groceries. The cashier looked at the gift certificate, then turned away for what seemed like a long time. Kayla thought something might be wrong.

Then she turned back around, and with tears in her loving eyes, asked, “Honey, do you have a turkey or anything else for a Thanksgiving dinner?”

“No!” the mother of two replied.

The cashier looked into Kayla’s embarrassed expression and said, “Go back into the store and buy a turkey, and anything else you need for a Thanksgiving dinner.”

Dumbfounded and humbled, Kayla asked: “Are you sure?”

“Yes! Get whatever you want. And get plenty of Gatorade for the kids.”

Kayla wheeled her shopping cart filled with a fresh turkey, a few yams, drinks for the children, and an apple pie up to the same cashier as before.  As Kayla placed her groceries on the counter, the cashier with a gentle smile and kind eyes began to speak.

“This morning I prayed that I could help someone today” She pulled enough cash from her purse to pay for all the groceries and handed Kayla the change. “God bless you, and your children. Happy Thanksgiving!”

Kayla walked to her car, overwhelmed by that stranger’s love, she realized that God loves her family too, and showed His love through the strangers from her church and the grocery store. They dined on the Lord’s bounty ­ and their community’s love. Their hearts swelled with thanks for the meal, the kindness of strangers, and the loving bonds shared with family.

Thanksgiving can be a most wonderful time when we sow our empathy for one another and to recall what giving is truly about.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the pleasure of gathering together for this occasion.  We give thanks for this food prepared by loving hands. As we eat, we pray for health and strength to carry on and try to live as You would have us. Amen

Life Changing

 “The Lord will never turn His face from you if you return to Him.” ~ 2 Chronicles 30:9

Reality TV viewers are likely familiar with Katherine von Drachenberg, better known as “Kat Von D,” the black-lipsticked Queen of Goth, whose work as a tattoo artist, kept her in the pop culture headlines for decades.

A defiant child, Von D ran away from home at age 14, rebelling against her strict Seventh-Day Adventist roots. Influenced by the punk rock culture, she ‘made her bones’ by creating and giving signature tattoos. Her eclectic, ghoulish, unorthodox work caught the eye of reality TV producers.  

By the time she was cast in TLCs “Miami Ink” in her early 20s, she’d inked her entire body. Von D, by her own admission, was also a “full-blown alcoholic” with a “growing cocaine addiction.”

The Mexican-American creative got wrapped up in some dangerous and morbid circles, embracing witchcraft and the occult in her early years. “My delve into non-Christian spirituality wasn’t helping,” she confessed, comparing it to "short-lived band-aids on a sinking ship."

So, in the summer of 2022, the artist revealed she was refocusing her life and giving up the “wickedness.” Writing on Instagram to her millions of followers, she featured a photograph displaying witchcraft books and tarot cards, describing them as "crutches."

Followers were left wondering. Others hoped the influencer was turning away from the dark and into the light. There was no shortage of speculation but no specificity suggesting what journey Von D was pursuing.

Until October 3, 2023.

Communicating again on Instagram, the now-sober, $200/hour tattooist shared a video of her baptism at a Baptist church in Vevay, Indiana, her current hometown. Wearing a white robe, Drachenberg was then fully immersed in water and came up smiling.

Her conversion made worldwide headlines. And while it might be something of a foreign concept to many in secular spheres, spiritual transformation is as big as it gets in our culture.

Critics accused her of "faking" the ceremony as a PR stunt. But it wasn’t her longtime fans that were the most cruel and close-minded! She was most surprised by the judgmental comments made by Christians.

“It was a symbolic, public apology to my followers. For so many years, I’ve been putting out a certain message that makes me sad I was ever even a part of," she explained.

Kat’s baptism reminds us that many celebrities are not playing a fixed role. Transformation is not necessarily something we pray for - but it’s a prayer that God will answer. We know that before Paul was the great evangelist, he was Saul, a Christian oppressor.

God can take the worst and make it the best. May the Lord give Katherine strength and continue to surround her with strong Christians who can disciple and help deepen her faith in Him.

Mighty God, thank you for the precious gift of baptism, that we can publicly declare our love and passion for You. Set Kat free from original sin, make her a temple of Your glory and send the Holy Spirit to dwell with her. Amen

Wedding Day

 “Two are better than one because if either falls, one can help the other up." ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9

Emily arrived at the church early. Soon people would trickle in, find their seats, and ready their hearts for the simple but faithful ceremony. As she waited near the cross for him to arrive, Emily absorbed the solitude for reflection.

She was to be married today; her life was about to change. She dreamt of this day since childhood; a typical “Knight-in-the-Shining-Armor-on-an-Ivory-Stallion” dream. She saw herself as a princess, the apple of her parents’ eyes. She pictured herself growing up, as a young teen, the heartthrob of her high school. Every boy wanted her and every girl wanted to be like her.

She recalled graduation, now more independent, her beauty now accentuated with maturity and a dollop of innocence for good measure. She loved life and she met the love of her life. Their eyes captured the moment they met as if the universe had introduced two souls already betrothed.

She’d always been a happy person, a fortunate young human, but this new love broadened her gratefulness beyond her grandest expectations. Oh, the snowfall wasn’t whiter, the moon wasn’t larger, and the rain was still annoying. But Emily enjoyed a snowfall ballet more, she started loving the moon as much as she adored the sun and learned to cherish a warm summer rain.

She was in love.

Their wedding was to be a celebration of love - for each other and for all those who came to share it with them, reaffirming the bond that God had already blessed. A marriage not of externality - not of family, religion nor finance - yet a bond between two souls that had a reality only the two of them could see.

Emily smiled remembering his touch. She thought of him hugging her from behind as she washed dishes in the kitchen. She remembered grumbling under her breath when he did those little irritating things. Her life hung on his whispered sweet nothings. She adored his tickling her, playing games with her, just sitting there with her in total silence, being near her, following her from room to room. Proud that her soldier husband had chosen to serve his country courageously.

She was marrying her best friend – a nuptial so deep and so strong that each would sacrifice for the other. They enjoyed so many things in common, yet respected enough differences to keep things interesting, admiring each other with the same sense of awe… and mystery… and humor… that they’d had while dating.

She remembered all this and she wept… trying to weep it all out before the others arrived. This was to be her wedding day… this was his funeral.

Almighty Lord, we lift military spouses in solemn prayer. Bless them with an abundance of courage and fill them with comfort. Surround them with community to stave off feelings of loneliness. We pray they will feel Your presence and be reassured that You are with them. Amen

Veteran's Day to Remember

 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called God’s children.”  ~ Matthew 5:7

A sudden bump as the 747’s tires kissed the tarmac told him the 12-hour flight from Shanghai was almost over. Once the jumbo jet parked safely at its arrival gate, Daren readied himself for the hike to the parking structure. It had been an exhausting flight... an even longer week. 

He grabbed his carry-on, bid farewell to the crew, and raced through the terminal to see how fast he could exit the airport and get home to his family.  Along the way, Daren couldn’t help but notice a group of camo-clad soldiers heading to their gate. “God be with them,” he thought.

As the soldiers passed, almost everyone waved and cheered. When Daren saw the soldiers being honored and applauded, he stopped and clapped too. 

It touched him, deeply! These unsung heroes would soon be putting their lives at great risk so that people like him could go to school, work, church, and home without fear.

Just when he thought he couldn’t be more proud or patriotic, a young girl not more than 5 years old ran up to one of the soldiers. He kneeled and greeted her warmly. She spoke with conviction, “Sir, will please give my Daddy something from me?”

“I’ll sure try,” he offered politely. “What would you like me to give to him?”

She suddenly grabbed his waist and gave him a hearty bear hug. The sweetness of her act flooded his soul as if he were being embraced by Jesus himself.

The girl’s mother introduced herself. “Our Marine,” she began through tender sobs, “has been overseas for 14 months. Courtney misses him desperately!”  

The remaining soldiers overheard the girl’s appeal and huddled briefly. One pulled out a military-style walkie-talkie and spoke purposefully into it.

A few minutes passed before the young soldier walked back over to the girl, bent down, and said, "I just spoke to your Daddy. He told me to give you this." He then hugged Courtney and lightly kissed her cheek. “Your Daddy told me that he misses you more than anything, that he loves you a gazillion, and that he’s coming home very soon." 

The soldier squared his shoulders and joined his squad in saluting Courtney and her Mom. “God Bless you three!” he said respectfully. As they walked away, the young soldier turned and blew Courtney one last kiss. A single tear fell off his cheek.

Daren watched the incident from a distance. He’d remember this Veteran's Day forever!  No longer would he take for granted the conveniences of an American lifestyle. Never again would he forget the price others had paid for his freedom. He’ll pray for all the heroes separated from their loved ones and for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Dear Lord, today we honor our veterans, men and women who gave their best when called upon to serve and protect their country. Bless them for their unselfish service to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country's heritage. Amen

(Un) Broken

 “Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.” ~ Matthew 6:19

Jake’s wife Annette returned from visiting Addy, an elderly friend, carrying a rickety old rocker that looked as though it needed to be buried in a dumpster. She brought it home hoping he could fix it. Jake wasn’t much of a handyman but agreed to take a look.

Soon it lay disassembled in the middle of their living room. The chair’s loose-fitting parts needed way more than TLC - the wood was dry and cracked, one glider was split down its length, and the back lacked several spindles. “Why don’t we toss this out and just buy her a new one?” Jake suggested callously.

Annette reminded him of something they’d heard from the pulpit a few weeks back – “A Godly heart cares about what others care about.” Where Jake saw an impossible repair for even a skilled craftsman, her optimism sparked something that encouraged him to give it a (long) shot.

As he touched the worn splintered pieces, Jake began to see the importance of them in Addy’s eyes. So, for weeks he worked assiduously restoring the old wood skeleton, gluing, sanding, refinishing and ultimately restoring it to its original beauty. In addition to upgrading his woodworking skills, he gained some valuable insights during the process.

Regardless of how he viewed the chair, it was still Addy’s. Replacing it would have shown pride instead of humility. A proud heart is more concerned with what it thinks is important. A humble heart is more focused on what’s important to others.

He’d purchase some additional materials to make it safer to sit on. The cost was easily more than the cost of a new rocking chair. But, his ‘investment’ was not actually in the chair, but rather in Addy. And she was worth it.

Jake returned the chair to an astonished old woman whose eyes revealed the joy of greeting an old friend returning home. She climbed into the rocker and leaned back ever so slightly, allowing her mind to wander.

“It wasn’t the most elaborate chair ever made, it was quite plain,” she admitted. “The wood came from old scrap Papa picked up - old homes, pallets, and even a shipwreck that had drifted ashore. He worked on it every night for nearly a year with the crudest of hand tools. When finished, it was the most beautiful piece of furniture we ever owned,” she said.

She continued rocking back and forth, loving memories resurfacing with each motion.

Friends, a humble heart will look at an investment beyond what’s visible and tangible for those will eventually deteriorate and fade away. But what pleases God most are the intangible acts – ones loving, supporting, and enhancing other people’s lives.

Dear God, thank You for navigating this journey with me. I anticipate the restoration You’ve already planned out for me, and I will trust You with everything I go through. You are the God of all grace, my peace, and my protector. Amen

Blasphemy... or Opportunity

 “Let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." ~ Romans 13:12

Tea has always been the emblem of friendship and peace. “Through tea make friends” is an old proverb expressing the sentiments shared with tea.

And so, it was on that this October morning, with its crisp air, vibrant leaves, and the anticipation of Halloween that Sandy and her English friend Ella shared an amicable chat over a cup of Earl Grey. Their conversations often drifted toward differences between their two cultures.

“Why do Americans celebrate Halloween in America?” asked Ella curiously. “In England and most of Europe, it’s mostly ‘frowned upon’ by Christians as a day for recognizing Satan.”

Sandy thought for a moment before answering. Her pensive expression melted into a smile as soft as a lamb. “Well,” she began, “I don’t see anything wrong with dressing up once a year and getting treats. I miss grabbing my plastic pumpkin bucket and collecting all those mini candy bars.”

Ella parried, “Aren’t you apprehensive about the holiday’s origins and its association with the supernatural? To appease the gods, Celtic priests built bonfires and sacrificed crops and animals. Villagers attended the ceremonies wearing animal heads and skins, which is likely where the tradition of Halloween costumes first originated."

“You’re right,” Sandy replied. “Halloween can be scary, but it's also an opportunity to teach kids about overcoming fear.”

“We can remind our kids that God is always on our side. He loves us deeply and wants to know us on a personal level. It's essential to remind Christian kids that their faith in Jesus teaches them not to be afraid of evil spirits or the darker aspects of Halloween.”

Note: By 1000 A.D., All Souls' Day on November 2 served as a time for the living to pray for the souls of the dead. All Saints' Day, or All Hallows, honored the saints on November 1. That made October 31 All Hallows Eve, which later became Halloween. Festivities honoring the dead are still celebrated in Mexico, Italy, Guatemala, Japan, Ireland, and China.

“We do love Halloween, Ella,” Sandy concluded, “and overindulge in outdoor decorations. But once each year we show that no matter how we love to dress up as monsters, we’re still angels in our childish souls.”

At the very least, Halloween provides a conversation starter between you and your kids, or a neighbor, or even a co-worker. It offers a unique opportunity for kids to be kids - share God’s goodness with their friends, show Christian generosity, and emphasize that God is bigger than evil spirits. His love and protection are always with us.

And maybe they’ll share some of their free candy with you.

Almighty Father, thank You for the joy that kids celebrate on this night. Please wrap Your arms around them, keep them safe from would-be wrongdoers, and let them bask in the glow of Your eternal light. Amen