Yesterday was filled with food for most of the United States. All kinds of food by cooks who have THE recipe to create that delicious and tempting part of a Thanksgiving dinner. Besides the food eaten there are the words spoken and heard by some. While in some homes it's a time of remembrance and positive feelings; other homes were yet again were hungry and trapped in negative and sometimes violent times. Most people were left with tradition in spite of either scenario just listed. Left overs from the day were once again remnants of the past. Both the food and people were leftovers from years remembered from the past.
In our church we have communion every Sunday. We do communion to celebrate our spiritual Thanksgiving. We take of the bread and wine in remembrance of what Christ did for us so that we can have a Thanksgiving every day. This Thanksgiving isn't laced with so and so's fruit salad or someone's rant on politics following a relatives drinking too much. For the most part our day of thanksgiving is celebrated by those who have put their faith in Jesus. In some situations there was reason to be happy and sad. This is true for both Thanksgiving days. When our focus is dragged away from what we have made it, we can then see the work of Christ in the lives of people we know and like or love.
In holiday tradition, we feel the obligation to make candied yams once again as well as green beans with dried onions on top. The calling to have a large piece of meat is answered with a big turkey, big ham, or some other big piece of meat. We scarf down the food without so much as a thought for those who have little or nothing. In America on this Thanksgiving Day we throw away more food that some countries have for that day. When we scraped our plates, finished cutting up the remaining meat, and supped on too many desserts we fell back in our comfortable recliners and watched a football game or went and took a nap. All of which are filled with even more food. I've been guilty of this. I'm pretty sure that you have too.
The main difference between the two Thanksgiving Day approaches is all about the heart. Do we really appreciate and are thankful for those who bravely made it to the New World and began our great tradition? When we think of preserving this nation of ours do we focus on the sacrifice by all who have come before, often giving their lives? Or, do we just see Thanksgiving as a day off from life for most people? This fact, unfortunately, is true for both Thanksgiving Day approaches. People tend to put Jesus into an event that happens once or twice a year and perhaps not about their life with or without Jesus. They make Jesus a leftover, something to consume later and perhaps on a different day. Why not every day?
The Bible says "give thanks for all things." This should be the first thing that comes out of our mouths and the last thing before we go to sleep. Those who do this "remembrance" have tasted the great meal and have the same great meal every day. No left overs for the Christian who communes with Jesus daily. "Every day is new..." for those who call upon Jesus to be saved. The "meal" given is the same every day and at the same time new every day. The choice to eat the meal with our true family on Thanksgiving Day is lends us to look forward to tomorrow and the next day and the next.
As I sit here with my morning coffee with dogs at my feet, I'm thankful that Jesus died for me and the family members that cross our paths the rest of the year. How many are thankful for the lives of many who came to know Jesus by encountering you? How many will there be this year? Will you settle for the left overs or will you see your relationship with Jesus as left overs in peoples minds? Joshua said in Joshua 24:15, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." THAT is not the left overs that so many carry. How about you?
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