A turkey day unlike any other

This Thanksgiving is not one that my family would have suspected. You see, the way my family does Turkey Day is well sort of a blow out! My family is so close, and we are so crazy. We always have so much fun when we get together, oh and the food... I imagine God may well in fact ask my family to cook for the banquet he is preparing for us.

This Thanksgiving, however, is proving to be one of epic proportions. My Aunt's house is in the middle of demolition from the crazy flood Nashville had, and if any knows what it is like to not be able to live in your own house, I know you can sympathize. My mom has just had surgery to remove some cancer on her face, which isn't all that bad except that she has to have reconstructive surgery the day before Thanksgiving, and she is also having a hard time with the possible outcome. Who wouldn't have a hard time with a chunk of skin taken out of your face!? And last but not least, my grandmother, the matriarch, the tribal leader, our great wall of China, our solidity has just found out that she has breast cancer that is also in the lymph nods.

This Thanksgiving, my family will be shaken. We will not have the food that we have always had, we will not have the participation that we love so much, a lot of us will be stuck on the couch while others around us are forced to do our beckoning, but my friend, in the midst of these trials, in the midst of pain, we will rise and say this. Thanksgiving is not about food at all, it is not about games, or parades, or feelings, Thanksgiving is about turning our minds away from earthly things and looking to God our Father. The Father who has set all things before Him (Col 1:16,17). The God who has authored our days (Heb 12:2). He promises that he conforms everything to the purpose of His will (Eph 1:11). He promises that He does good to us every moment! "No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly! (Ps 84:11)" God makes our lot secure (Ps 16:5). He promises he has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

This Thanksgiving, we can be thankful for our circumstances! We can be thankful for them because God is good to us every moment of every day! This is the day that the Lord has made! Weeping may tarry for the night, but JOY comes in the morning! Let us have faith that God is working in the midst of these trials, to bring us into a hope that will not disappoint. GOD IS GOOD!