Thanks--Giving
So, I was inspired from the intellectual, emotional stimulation of Andrea's blog to post something regarding the wonderful Holy day we call, Thanksgiving. Though, I should be asleep in the nice cozy warmth of my bed, I choose to post and reflect on God's faithfulness.
Tradition is a blessed part of life, although more people than not cringe at the thought of 'tradition'. They signify it with old unchanging ways. And usually traditional people are stereotyped as grumpy old folks that are so hard and single-minded that World War III wouldn't break the bond of tradition. Although, I do agree that tradition in this sense has the possibility of hindering effectiveness, but I believe that tradition in the purest sense is a sweet aroma that reminds us of the past and allows us to hold fast to the truths that are so easily overlooked. Now, with that said and no desire to delve into the controversial dogma that tradition has on our society, I would like to say, my weekend was just that, a sweet aroma of tradition.
This was my sixth year spending Thanksgiving weekend with the Hougesen family in Milwaukie, Oregon; an amazing family that has so graciously taken me in and made me apart of their lives. Tradition, every year we eat and rest, then we bake. The day after Thanksgiving I was grafted into the tradition of baking Christmas cookies with Jeanne (the mom) while Kathy (the daughter) decorated the house for Christmas. The aroma of cookies, the atmosphere of love and Christmas cheer is never lacking, along with the joyous laughs and conversation. Five years of this have been cherished in my heart and I was ready to make it six. Although, this year it was going to be different. Kathy now married and living in Tennessee, I knew she wouldn't be here to share in the festivities or add the necessary joyfulness that was needed to make this tradition complete. For weeks, I have been preparing myself for the change but continued to thank the Lord for the many memories still to be cherished.
Thanksgiving day, dinner was served, pie was eaten, thanks were given, and rest was setting in. Heading for the kitchen to find a refreshing drink, Jeanne and Brian (the son) were the only other ones in the house. The only noise, Jeanne banging things in the kitchen and Brian doing who knows what, it was peaceful. I opened the fridge and heard the backdoor open, not paying attention to it, I continued with my pursuit of refreshing Sprite. Then a head peered at me from around the corner with a voice in the most joyous tone saying, 'Hi'. I was stunned, I couldn't move, I just stood there, the fridge open, glass in hand, mouth open. It was Kathy. She and her husband were up for a wedding, and took the opportunity to spend time with family. I couldn't believe it, Kathy was here. I found out later that I was practically the only one in the Northwest that didn't know she was coming, yet I was very pleased.
The day after Thanksgiving I woke up figuring it was all a dream, but Kathy was standing at the foot of my bed, begging me to get up and play. Of course, I did and it was joyous. Jeanne and I made cookies; Kathy decorated for Christmas. Laughter filled the house and another tradition was cherished.
Now, it's Sunday night and school starts up again in the morning. Saying goodbye to Kathy brought the inevitable tears, but the reminder of God's faithfulness and care followed. How sweet it is to know that we have a God that cares about our heart and about our desires. He knows us, every ounce of us, he knows what makes us laugh and smile, he knows what makes us cry, he knows what frightens us, but he knows how to comfort us; he knows what we need and when we need it. How sweet it is to know that we have a God that cares. I am constantly amazed at this truth, no matter what life brings, I know I have a God I can cling to. When the tears come, I know God is there ready and willing to let me cry on his shoulder. Now, that's amazing. And I am thankful.
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Great is Thy Faithfulness
William M. Runyan, 1923
'Great is Thy faithfulness,' O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessing all mine, with ten thousand beside.
'Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!'
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided--
'Great is Thy faithfulness,' Lord unto me!
----------------------------------
Great is thy faithfulness, indeed!!!!!
P.S. So, I watched my first couple episodes of Alias, I think I'm hooked :o)
Tradition is a blessed part of life, although more people than not cringe at the thought of 'tradition'. They signify it with old unchanging ways. And usually traditional people are stereotyped as grumpy old folks that are so hard and single-minded that World War III wouldn't break the bond of tradition. Although, I do agree that tradition in this sense has the possibility of hindering effectiveness, but I believe that tradition in the purest sense is a sweet aroma that reminds us of the past and allows us to hold fast to the truths that are so easily overlooked. Now, with that said and no desire to delve into the controversial dogma that tradition has on our society, I would like to say, my weekend was just that, a sweet aroma of tradition.
This was my sixth year spending Thanksgiving weekend with the Hougesen family in Milwaukie, Oregon; an amazing family that has so graciously taken me in and made me apart of their lives. Tradition, every year we eat and rest, then we bake. The day after Thanksgiving I was grafted into the tradition of baking Christmas cookies with Jeanne (the mom) while Kathy (the daughter) decorated the house for Christmas. The aroma of cookies, the atmosphere of love and Christmas cheer is never lacking, along with the joyous laughs and conversation. Five years of this have been cherished in my heart and I was ready to make it six. Although, this year it was going to be different. Kathy now married and living in Tennessee, I knew she wouldn't be here to share in the festivities or add the necessary joyfulness that was needed to make this tradition complete. For weeks, I have been preparing myself for the change but continued to thank the Lord for the many memories still to be cherished.
Thanksgiving day, dinner was served, pie was eaten, thanks were given, and rest was setting in. Heading for the kitchen to find a refreshing drink, Jeanne and Brian (the son) were the only other ones in the house. The only noise, Jeanne banging things in the kitchen and Brian doing who knows what, it was peaceful. I opened the fridge and heard the backdoor open, not paying attention to it, I continued with my pursuit of refreshing Sprite. Then a head peered at me from around the corner with a voice in the most joyous tone saying, 'Hi'. I was stunned, I couldn't move, I just stood there, the fridge open, glass in hand, mouth open. It was Kathy. She and her husband were up for a wedding, and took the opportunity to spend time with family. I couldn't believe it, Kathy was here. I found out later that I was practically the only one in the Northwest that didn't know she was coming, yet I was very pleased.
The day after Thanksgiving I woke up figuring it was all a dream, but Kathy was standing at the foot of my bed, begging me to get up and play. Of course, I did and it was joyous. Jeanne and I made cookies; Kathy decorated for Christmas. Laughter filled the house and another tradition was cherished.
Now, it's Sunday night and school starts up again in the morning. Saying goodbye to Kathy brought the inevitable tears, but the reminder of God's faithfulness and care followed. How sweet it is to know that we have a God that cares about our heart and about our desires. He knows us, every ounce of us, he knows what makes us laugh and smile, he knows what makes us cry, he knows what frightens us, but he knows how to comfort us; he knows what we need and when we need it. How sweet it is to know that we have a God that cares. I am constantly amazed at this truth, no matter what life brings, I know I have a God I can cling to. When the tears come, I know God is there ready and willing to let me cry on his shoulder. Now, that's amazing. And I am thankful.
----------------------------------
Great is Thy Faithfulness
William M. Runyan, 1923
'Great is Thy faithfulness,' O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessing all mine, with ten thousand beside.
'Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!'
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided--
'Great is Thy faithfulness,' Lord unto me!
----------------------------------
Great is thy faithfulness, indeed!!!!!
P.S. So, I watched my first couple episodes of Alias, I think I'm hooked :o)
