Thanks for the Memories

One of the most precious gifts that God ever gave us was the gift of MEMORIES.  Jesus said to His disciples, when they celebrated their last Passover meal together, "Do this in remembrance of Me!"  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.  It is a national holiday--set aside  for families and friends to come together to give thanks.

Some loved ones will be missing this year....but we'll REMEMBER them!  Thanksgiving Day is a time of mixed emotions--some sweet....some sorrowful.  I'll remember some of the Thanksgivings we shared at my aunt's house.  She always cooked for this holiday...Christmas was always at our house.  My aunt and uncle, as well as my parents, have been gone for a long, long time....but I'll never forget them.

It seems as though the traditions we grew up with are slowly fading away.  Not many prepare a 7-course meal anymore; nor do a lot of families cook anymore....they eat dinner OUT or carry it IN!  Families are more "scattered" around the country--too far away to gather together.

The saddest thing of all is when families do come together, sit around the same table, but don't want to be together!  They just come out of DUTY or OBLIGATION!  So sad...so sad!

Prior to the 1st bite of food (after the appetizers are picked over and some Crescent rolls  are stolen before they reach the table), I like to share a PRAYER of THANKS.  Maybe we could paraphase and pray I Thessalonians 1:2-3 on Thanksgiving Day:

"We GIVE THANKS to God always for all of you, (mentioning all their names).  And we remember those loved ones, who have passed away, who once sat at this table with us.  We remember, and give thanks, for their labor of love.  And we, most of all, remember our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as we break bread and partake of this bountiful feast.  Amen.