A Covid Thanksgiving

 

Hours before dawn, my eyes opened and I remembered it was Thanksgiving during a pandemic. Even though my body yearned for more sleep, my mind stubbornly refused. After tossing and turning for an hour, I threw back the covers and ventured into the blackness. 

 

            Covid also brought blackness to our world with deaths, illnesses, shutdowns, riots, job losses… Each dreadful situation brought consequences. The pandemic affected the entire world. 

 

            Despite the horrible circumstances, we can choose to be thankful. Perhaps for small things or miraculous ones. 

 

            My mind replayed previous Thanksgivings. Many were joyous celebrations with family members. During my childhood in Indiana, I joined parents, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents for feasts. Large gatherings occurred every year. 

 

            After my parents got jobs in Florida, the celebrations became smaller. We thought my grandparents, who were a couple hours away, would join our festivities each year. However, on our first Thanksgiving in Florida, Grandma was in the hospital and passed away the following day. Grandpa became part of our meals for many years. 

 

            As my immediate family grew with marriages, babies, and adoption. more people crowded around the table. There was excitement in being together and enjoying delicious food. 

 

            Changes came as families spent time with spouse’s families. Then Mother could no longer host the meals so we shifted locations to my brothers’ homes and mine. We didn’t mind but it signaled more changes. 

 

            Empty chairs appeared. First Grandpa, Dad, Alan and then Mother. Each time, sadness mingled with celebration. But thankfulness continued for what we still had. 

 

            Every year family members gathered around the table but not always the same ones.  There was an abundance of delicious food in a safe home. Reliable cars got us there and everyone wore more than adequate clothes. We all could speak and hear the conversations. Of course, there were trials in many lives but thankfulness usually overtook the troubles that day. 

 

            Along with a year of attacks, Covid also assaulted Thanksgiving. Many large celebrations were cancelled and travel eliminated for thousands of people. Around the US, smaller groups planned to assemble. Some not at all. 

 

            For the first time, I won’t be with family on this holiday. When loneliness attacked, I thought of blessings instead. 

 

            I had resources to buy food for my own Thanksgiving meal. Yesterday, I prepared a traditional meal for myself and I will enjoy leftovers for several more. Today, I will join a couple of single friends for an outside meal at a local restaurant in the beautiful, Florida weather. 

 

            No one I have spoken with is having a normal Thanksgiving this year but all are adapting to the situation. 

 

            Thanksgiving Day is a marvelous time to thank God for what He has given us. However, it should not be one day of 365 but a daily occurrence. 

 

            As I think of God’s blessings, the list is endless. Although I won’t be with my family, I can connect with them through my phone and on my computer. I have children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and cousins. I live in a lovely home on a peaceful lake retreat. Electricity keeps me warm and cool. My refrigerator keeps my food cool and my microwave warms it up. I can go to church when I want to and read my Bible freely. I live in a country of many freedoms. On this day and every day, I can choose to be thankful. 

 

            Perhaps you are in a horrible situation now, but you can still be thankful in tiny ways. Maybe you have had wonderful things happen to you this year. I challenge you to find at least five things you can be thankful for and hopefully, even more. 

 

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

 

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV)

 

Loving Father, as the world goes through a year of constant trials, thank you for being with us. Nudge us to be thankful no matter our circumstances. Amen

 

       

 

       

Danger Beneath the Surface

 

Cars whizzed across the expressway over Lake Jessup. Sunlight lit tiny waves on the expansive lake like twinkling Christmas lights. A clear, blue sky and enchanting lake made me smile but also, reminded me of the dangers.  

 

            Occasionally, a fisherman throws out a line or a boater ventures onto the vast lake. But never do swimmers or skiers enjoy the lake unless they are newcomers.  

 

            But I know the history of the lake and reality of what lies beneath the surface of the sparkling lake. For years one of the largest lakes in Florida has declined. Because nuisance gators were released into the giant lake for years, almost thirteen thousand alligators were estimated to live in the once pristine lake. Runoff from around the lake sent pollutants into the water. The highway and berms disturbed the natural flow of the St. John’s River which had helped clean the lake. The combination of several problems created a mostly unusable lake for humans even though it still looks appealing. 

 

            Life is also filled with enticing people, places and activities which appear trustworthy, decent, and suitable. However, below the surface danger awaits. Thankfully, there is an answer. 

             

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! (Proverbs 3:5-7 The Message)

 

Lord, help us learn to trust you in all we do. Listen and follow your instructions. Amen

 

Turbulent Times

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling…“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah .(Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11 WEB)

A never ending barrage of angry waves bashed the beach. Dark clouds blocked the sun. Only a few brave souls ventured into the intense winds as the high tide pushed water farther and farther up the sand. 

            Winds died down that evening. Waves calmed. Water  receded and exposed more of the beach. Clumps of brown seaweed littered the white sand. I shook my head at the blight on the normally pristine sand. To avoid the ugly mess, I zigzagged through the disorder during my evening walk. 

            At the beginning of my vacation, I loved seeing the beauty of the endless beach. Then turbulent winds churned the water, pulled up unsightly seaweed, and spit it out as refuse.  After the storm, I wanted the tides to retrieve the rubbish and return it to the ocean. 

            Down the beach, I noticed hundreds of sand pipers. A few courageous birds scampered to the seaweed and stuck long beaks into the ugly masses for morsels of food. The birds weren’t afraid of what looked horrible. What appeared to me as only an unwelcome mess was actually beneficial to birds. 

 

            The year 2020 spit out one mess after another on the world. We can lament the shambles left behind or trust God and look for blessings within them. 

Loving Father, we don’t understand all of the chaos and upheaval, but You are not surprised. Help us trust You and show us the blessings in the midst of the messes. Amen