Ah, we are nearing the end of November. The trees have dropped their leaves. The days are getting shorter and crisper. Time to get a turkey and find all the makings of an American Thanksgiving Feast. Ooops, we’re not in Kansas anymore!
So how do we have Thanksgiving in a hot, sunny, always green place? Can it be Thanksgiving without the turkey, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole? Of course it can! But it will be different.
This year we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with a Malaysian family who served for 17 years in Kenya. The daughters have always shared American Thanksgiving with friends in Kenya. They were afraid that since they moved back to Malaysia they couldn’t celebrate. We will have an adapted feast, but it will be no less meaningful.
I know many of you who receive this newsletter are not Americans, so the holiday doesn’t have the same meaning to you. But we can all get in on the thanksgiving, whether Americans or not.
Why not write out your own Thankful List? Here’s part of mine. I am thankful . . .
- I’ve been chosen to be part of a kingdom that will never end
- There is One who hears the deepest desires of my heart
- There is a destiny for me to fulfill and all the help I need to get there
- For the opportunity to travel and live in places others can only dream about
- My children were able to experience more cultures than just our own
- To all the nationals who have become family and friends to us and our children.
- Laughter oils relationships and keeps them from seizing up
- Grace has made me flexible
- The language of love crosses communication barriers
- For the graciousness of strangers to overlook my cultural clumsiness
- I’ve been given a peek at the enormous variety of landscapes and plants and animals and clouds and . . .
- The Life we share has brought joy to those we serve
- When the burden seemed too heavy to bear, I was never left alone
- For the soft cheeks and big eyes of the next generation
- There is hope and expectation for the future
- Counselors shared their wisdom
- For amazing friendships with women of many nations, accents, and ages
- Tears can express my sorrow
- Laughter expresses my joy and delight
- We’ll have all eternity to rejoice together!
Why not send in your additions to this list? You can comment here or email the list to: Diane
Blessings to each one of you as you celebrate Thanksgiving wherever you are.
Carolyn says
I’m thankful for…
the way my new baby boy smells (most of the time!)
my amazing husband who is the perfect partner for me in this work God has called us to
God’s perfect provision in every area of our lives, in so many creative ways
the gift of good relationships with family
forgiveness
grace
a teachable heart and a Holy Spirit to teach
God’s Word and how its many layers continue to richly give out wisdom (even from familiar passages) throughout different stages of life
the Body of Christ worldwide
the lessons and encouragement from brothers and sisters in Christ who are in prison for His Name
the Joy of God’s creation
creativity in all it’s forms
the way that heaven will encapsulate and encompass everything we love about this earth and so much more!!!
chocolate
the sea
how many different shades of green God put into nature
the ability to be thankful– the perspective to know how richly blessed I am
Peter’s Wife ministry, and all the other not-for-profit ministries that bless those who are in full-time ministry themselves!