It’s
Thanksgiving in America. I’m thankful
for Thanksgiving. I’m thankful that the
pilgrims and the Indians joined together to celebrate Thankfulness in the new
community that was forming. They
demonstrated a moment in history that is worth repeating and celebrating.
History
reveals that supporting one another’s mutual good was not maintained in the
years that followed this celebration. Mutual
thankfulness gave way to distrust, greed and war. The outcome was years passing
without an annual celebration of thankfulness.
I wonder if we can learn from history how thankfulness and mutual care
for one another in America can produce a good result for all who come to the
table.
Thanksgiving
2016 happens in a year of a divided nation.
Riots and protests plagued our country after a hotly debated
election. Thanksgiving calls us to come
to the table. To set a historical
Thanksgiving table, you could invite those who are different from you. Wouldn’t it be great if every immigrant in
America was invited to a Thanksgiving dinner?
What would happen if Trump voters and Trump protestors sat down to a
meal and discussed their mutual thanksgivings rather than their many
differences? What if they tasted each
other’s favorite side dishes and shared tips on cooking turkey while at the
same time acknowledging their common interest for a peaceful life?
If, as a
part of this meal, all gathered were asked to share that for which they were
most thankful, would people with grave differences find commonality? Would participants express gratitude to their
God, their families or the people in their lives who had expressed the most
love? Would they express gratitude for
new births and for those who have left this world with great love because they
once were here? Could they each be
grateful to live in a nation where the people elect their leaders and the
people’s voices are heard? Would they be
grateful that they share electricity, water, and air? Would they find commonalities around a table
of thankfulness?
I believe
they would. I read posts on Facebook from people
expressing one thing they are grateful for during the month of November. Others post some of the points on my own gratitude
list. Psalm 35:18 expresses our great
honor as humans: I will
give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you. Every human being on this
earth can find one point of gratitude.
They may not know that it is God who is the giver of every good gift,
but they can see that there are gifts in this world, little kindnesses from the
God who loves all of His inhabitants.
Even weeds produce lovely flowers and designs, unique and intricate. All of God’s universe is filled with points
of gratitude.
Perhaps
if you share your gratefulness in the crowds, others will follow your
example. Rather than focus on your differences,
ask your foes to share that for which they are most grateful. See if you can agree on gratitude. Gratefully acknowledge your differences.
We
will hold strong opinions that might separate us, and perhaps that fact alone
will turn into gratitude. We can be
grateful that we do not live in a vanilla world but in one with humans who,
just like the weeds, produce lovely flowers and designs, unique and
intricate.
Copyright © 2016. Deborah R Newman teatimeforyoursoul.com All Rights Reserved.
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