Its been over 7 years since I last celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving with turkey and all the trimmings. For the past 4 years, Ive usually been attending trade conventions in the United States on the very same day.
The 3 years that I lived in Japan, I celebrated American Thanksgiving with the missionaries. We would prepare a feast of turkey, homemade bread, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, and of course pumpkin pie. Since ovens were practically non-existent in our city, the turkeys would have to be started several days in advance. On the day of the great feast, several of us would meet at the local community center very early in the morning and begin the chopping, beating, mashing, and cooking. I remember how one year we baked very close to 24 pumpkin pies! It was surprising that we never managed to burn anything and that all the food would be cooked by the time that the almost 150 to 200 locals would arrive for dinner. The dinner was something I looked forward to each year as it was my chance to give back to the community that so warmly welcomed me.
Thanksgiving is a time for reflecting on the richness of the year and for the blessings in our lives. It also calls us to remember those who are not as fortunate. Hopefully this call translates into action and not just at Thanksgiving but each and every day.
My Im thankful for list is long but two things that are new to the list this year are that I am thankful for a church community that welcomes me and walks with me on my faith journey and Im thankful that God is my special dinner guest each and every day and He gladly accepts whatever I am able to give him of myself, my time, my talents, and my possessions.
Valerie
Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ (Luke 14:16-17)