There is so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day; but what is foremost in my mind is God’s promise of grace and mercy. I am reminded of a personal, or perhaps not so personal experience, from a couple years ago, which I am compelled to share.
It was during the height of living on the streets, on a slightly chilly morning, as that Thanksgiving Day began, nevertheless, a day that I was looking forward to with eager anticipation. It had been about three days since I had eaten. Now, I could be extra spiritual, right about along through here, and proclaim that I was on some sort of Righteous and Holy fast for the good of mankind; but that would be untruthful. The truth is, I had been sick, stricken with what I believed to have been a mild case of food poisoning. Not only had I been unable to hold anything down, I had been unable, physically, to walk to the usual location where I could have a meal. However, I had begun to feel better and the thought of turkey and dressing lingered in my mind. By the time I had gotten myself together to try and find some place where Thanksgiving meals were being served, it was late in the day and most places where I could have gotten a meal, had stopped serving. Though I was feeling better, I still wasn’t quite strong enough to go searching for food. I remember seeing a man, another familiar homeless face, seated at a bus stop. Exhausted, I took a seat beside him, and placing my head in my hands, on my lap, I could hear the rumblings in my stomach. I distinctly remember thinking, even in the midst of my own plight, how I had hoped that he had been able to get something to eat that day, because after all, it was Thanksgiving. Just about the time I decided to ask him if he had eaten, knowing that I didn’t have anything to offer, if he hadn’t, a white van pulled up alongside us and two angels emerged with Thanksgiving meals in hand, for us both. I said a very sincere, but very quick “thank you,” and rushed to find the most private place I could to gorge myself, which turned out to be a parking garage. After taking a few bites, I looked around and decided that, that location might not be the safest place to be in that moment; so, I gathered my little styrofoam container and headed toward the train station. I remember how lucky I felt, because just as I reached the station, the train was pulling in. But then, the most unlikely thing occurred, as soon as the doors to the packed train opened, a young lady stepped off and approached me; she said that she was hungry and asked if I could help her out with a couple dollars. I explained to her that the only thing I had was the partially eaten food that was in the carton, and without even thinking about it, I offered it to her. She took it and walked away. To this day, I don’t know whether she was truly in need, or whether like so many others, during that time, she was simply mocking. I do remember thinking that she didn’t look the part. But I also remembered that some had made the same assessment of me. So, I tried not to be resentful in my well-doing, but it would a. Don’t misunderstand, my misgivings weren’t manifested in selfishness, but I was really looking forward to warming that meal up and enjoying it in a warm and safe atmosphere. Needless to say, I was a little down. BUT GOD, is a God of his Word: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.” As I made my way back to the little cubby hole where I had been sleeping, still very hungry, I spotted a large group of homeless people waiting in line for what looked to be a feast, I mean every kind of meat and fixings known to a Thanksgiving table, stretched out before the least of these. ”Thou preparest a table before me . . . ”
So, as I reflect on this Thanksgiving Day, that experience, along with those where I spent the day serving meals to others, shall reside among the most grateful moments of my life.
Even if you are homeless tonight, determine that “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Now, watch God turn your situation around. “Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good.”
Dear Heavenly FATHER, Thank You for your promise of grace and mercy. Today I give thanks for my daughter, son-in-law, and this beautiful little grandson, whose smile absolutely melts my heart. Thank you for family and friend both far and near; both united and estranged. Thank You for kind neighbors and strangers alike. Father, thank You most of all for the blood of Jesus and the sufficiency thereof. Amen.
Commentary: Thank You LORD.
(Please forgive typos)
.
Thanksgiving Day 2016
It was during the height of living on the streets, on a slightly chilly morning, as that Thanksgiving Day began, nevertheless, a day that I was looking forward to with eager anticipation. It had been about three days since I had eaten. Now, I could be extra spiritual, right about along through here, and proclaim that I was on some sort of Righteous and Holy fast for the good of mankind; but that would be untruthful. The truth is, I had been sick, stricken with what I believed to have been a mild case of food poisoning. Not only had I been unable to hold anything down, I had been unable, physically, to walk to the usual location where I could have a meal. However, I had begun to feel better and the thought of turkey and dressing lingered in my mind. By the time I had gotten myself together to try and find some place where Thanksgiving meals were being served, it was late in the day and most places where I could have gotten a meal, had stopped serving. Though I was feeling better, I still wasn’t quite strong enough to go searching for food. I remember seeing a man, another familiar homeless face, seated at a bus stop. Exhausted, I took a seat beside him, and placing my head in my hands, on my lap, I could hear the rumblings in my stomach. I distinctly remember thinking, even in the midst of my own plight, how I had hoped that he had been able to get something to eat that day, because after all, it was Thanksgiving. Just about the time I decided to ask him if he had eaten, knowing that I didn’t have anything to offer, if he hadn’t, a white van pulled up alongside us and two angels emerged with Thanksgiving meals in hand, for us both. I said a very sincere, but very quick “thank you,” and rushed to find the most private place I could to gorge myself, which turned out to be a parking garage. After taking a few bites, I looked around and decided that, that location might not be the safest place to be in that moment; so, I gathered my little styrofoam container and headed toward the train station. I remember how lucky I felt, because just as I reached the station, the train was pulling in. But then, the most unlikely thing occurred, as soon as the doors to the packed train opened, a young lady stepped off and approached me; she said that she was hungry and asked if I could help her out with a couple dollars. I explained to her that the only thing I had was the partially eaten food that was in the carton, and without even thinking about it, I offered it to her. She took it and walked away. To this day, I don’t know whether she was truly in need, or whether like so many others, during that time, she was simply mocking. I do remember thinking that she didn’t look the part. But I also remembered that some had made the same assessment of me. So, I tried not to be resentful in my well-doing, but it would a. Don’t misunderstand, my misgivings weren’t manifested in selfishness, but I was really looking forward to warming that meal up and enjoying it in a warm and safe atmosphere. Needless to say, I was a little down. BUT GOD, is a God of his Word: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.” As I made my way back to the little cubby hole where I had been sleeping, still very hungry, I spotted a large group of homeless people waiting in line for what looked to be a feast, I mean every kind of meat and fixings known to a Thanksgiving table, stretched out before the least of these. ”Thou preparest a table before me . . . ”
So, as I reflect on this Thanksgiving Day, that experience, along with those where I spent the day serving meals to others, shall reside among the most grateful moments of my life.
Even if you are homeless tonight, determine that “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Now, watch God turn your situation around. “Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good.”
Dear Heavenly FATHER, Thank You for your promise of grace and mercy. Today I give thanks for my daughter, son-in-law, and this beautiful little grandson, whose smile absolutely melts my heart. Thank you for family and friend both far and near; both united and estranged. Thank You for kind neighbors and strangers alike. Father, thank You most of all for the blood of Jesus and the sufficiency thereof. Amen.
Commentary: Thank You LORD.
(Please forgive typos)
.
