The end of the day was a beautiful thought- what if everyone fought to do the dishes because they knew that he who served gains authority to bless, and that the joy of blessing the legacy that has entered the bloodline in one generation is exceedingly good?

The dishes were a joy this year.

The meal was rich and plentiful. Making the meal with others makes it more so.

There is something that has shifted and does shift each year when I put the bird into the oven. God notes the time. He orders the day around it. There is something significant between him and me when that part of the meal, which stays the same, yet always changes, is done. He speaks and sings and prepares, and adds and He becomes…life…in us and around us. He is always joy as we recall together the years it was not possible for me to remove the neck and gizzards myself. He is always hope as we put the bird in and expect the finished product to look and taste delicious. He is always love as he reminds me that the bird gave his life. While for the bird it was not a voluntary choice being made, yet it reminds him of his choice, that day. The full yes.

He gives me grace for the moments each year where all is not love. He longs with me for the time beyond, when all shall be so. He views Thanksgiving differently than most people I know. He was thankful before the Pilgrims. He is the tradition, not man.

He is with me each year as the meal becomes ready, in the moments where not everything is the same temperature and not everything turned out as planned; he reminds me of how my brain has changed, my capacity has changed, and within all that and above all that I am being made new. And I am a new creation, old things are passed away. And we share a moment, in awe of Him, and His ways, and His amazing grace.

I worked out in the morning. As soon as I got on the road the spontaneous thanks began. Thank you God for my breath, for this breath. For overwhelming my heart with your love. For the blood pumping from my heart, for keeping my heart’s emotions alive. Thank you for the brain you have given me. For taking me through the ups and the downs and the roller coaster moments an always circling me back into you. Thank you that you are YOU. We spend some wordless appreciation and tears there.

Thank you for my husband. What a perfect man you chose to perfect me, to sharpen me, to bump me into new levels of yourself. And each child comes next. The tears are streaming as the gratitude flows. My friends are listed and rehearsed and blessed. Every mentor. And each client. And our pets. And then those who have gone on, remembering an thankful for their touches and the the changes they have brought. Then the stuff. I find that when I let it flow through me spontaneously without filter, it is also a super good tool to see that balance remains, and order is in alignment with the ways of Him.

How great is our God! When he brought me out of captivity, we were like those who dreamed. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, and we began to sing. And they said among the nations, the Lord has done great things for us! Yes the Lord has done great things! And we are glad! Those who sow in tears, shall reap in joy. (I borrowed that last paragraph from David.)

Surely he makes everything beautiful in its time. (I borrowed that from David’s son.)