I’ve shared before that on Thanksgiving in my house, we write on the wall. Each guest receives their own colored pencil and we write… we write out our blessings. The little, the big… the never-to-be-forgotten, it all goes up on the wall cross-word style. Flurry of rainbow pencil scratches upon smooth, white expanse of butcher paper. Laughter rises. “Remember when…” is uttered soft. Even in the midst of settled day, as I linger in the kitchen washing dishes, clearing plates… I watch a solitary heart drawing to the wall… on the wall… etching thanksgiving. One word at a time, we remember. We are thankful.
This year I’m changing the tradition… slightly… and yet, oh, so profoundly. Rather than let a young one offer up the first word on background fresh… small hands shall first scribe, God. The root of every blessing to pour forth. On Thanksgiving we gather, we eat, we play… indeed we give thanks. Do we remember to Whom it is we offer praise? Does God fall away quiet midst the busy? This God, Almighty, El Shaddai? Abba Father who prayed for me before my heart first constricted life-beat?
Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them. John 17:26
Words profound, that Jesus would want me to be loved by the Father as He was. That He would desire to intimately be a part of me… me? And on the very night He would be taken away to sacrifice His own precious life because of me, that I might be saved from my own failings? He offers these prayer words? For me?
Oh, Lord, that I would praise Your name in all things… in every moment.
Yes, let us laugh! Let us eat! Let us play! Let us gather round warm! Let us love one another as family, both given and chosen. But let us remember in every breath to Whom it is we give thanks.
And on that wall, shall be the word, Village. Thanking each of you, and our God, for this family of families. May His blessings spill full in your hearts and homes.
Stef says
Susan – you bless my socks off! Thank you for your rich words! HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!
Mary Ann says
Oh, words of refreshment to my barren soul today. The holidays can cause one to feel very alone. Thank you, thank you for sharing your gift. I miss you! I so appreciate you, my friend! Warm blessings to you this holiday week. May this verse, in turn, encourage you: “God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, God, is my strength and my song; He also has become my salvation.”–Isaiah 12:2
Susan says
Oh, Sweet Mary Ann! Just seeing your tender note here. Indeed, I was reading in Isaiah today as well, and now comes your gift of verse to join! Know in that gentle heart of yours that it is a trememdous gift to me to realize even when my words are quiet… you are there. May blessings warm wrap your home this season. Hugs to you, my friend!
Susan says
Thank you for the gift of you, Stef. Holding hands in Spirit tableround. Warmest Thanksgiving!
Sonita Lewis says
What a great idea! If I ever host a large Thanksgiving we might do that! I’m just hosting my parents this year so we just did a Thankful Tree.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Susan says
Sonita, you may also find it fun as a round-the-table activity with immediate family. Somtimes those special memories among the immediate family come most tender. Are you posting a picture of your tree on FB? Richest blessings and thanksgiving for all you do!