Interrupted By Thanksgiving

I honestly tried to not have Thanksgiving dinner this year. I had perfectly good excuses: the dishwasher was broken, the sentimental child was in Korea, his wife was with her family, the middle child would be going to at least two other dinners with his in-laws, the daughter would most likely be with her significant other and his family, and Pat and I could celebrate with Mom at her residence. And my number one reason: if I didn’t have to cook on Thanksgiving, then I would have three consecutive days to strip wallpaper!

My scheme began to fall apart when Brandon called from Korea and said that Hiu Sze wanted to spend Thanksgiving with us. Then Kate called to see what time we planned to have dinner. When I hesitated she said that she and Scott would be coming over anyway to spend the night because he had to be at a nearby job at 4 the next morning. Then while I was upstairs getting ready for work Pat yelled, “Guess who just called!” It was Nathan wanting to know what time we were going to have our dinner!

I gave up. Pat planned a menu and wrote out a list while I went to the church. After work I went grocery shopping with Hiu Sze at 6 pm on the day before Thanksgiving—just one hour before the store closed! The next day Hiu Sze, Pat, and I ate a traditional turkey dinner with Mom at Whidbey Island Manor. Then I went home and started cooking. At 7 pm eight of us sat down to eat our second turkey dinner (third for Nathan and Amanda). And Pat began his prayer, “Lord, thank you that Kit failed at not having Thanksgiving this year.”

Afterward the younger generation played games, and Brandon called from Korea to visit with his brother, sister, and wife. (And used up two calling cards doing it!) Everyone except Mom spent the night at our house. And my children once again showed me that Thanksgiving isn’t just about eating turkey with all of the trimmings—it’s about making time to get together to celebrate the fact that we are all part of the same family.

Now that I think about it, isn’t that the reason for Sunday morning services? We take time to pause and celebrate our common Hope. We celebrate that we can experience unity in our diversity. We celebrate that we are part of God’s growing family.

Or is it that we attend out of habit? Or do we not attend at all because we think that Sunday morning worship is a dated tradition? After all, we have things to do!

My children interrupted my wallpaper plans and got my priorities straightened out for me this Thanksgiving. For that I am truly thankful.

Pastor Kit