THANKSGIVING FEAST
NOVEMBER 27 2011
Just three days ago, we celebrated Thanksgiving 2011. I think I’m still full!
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. To me it meant that I would be spending the day with my grandparents and other members of the family. My grandmother was the most outstanding cook. The dinner that I make MAY turn out really great, but it may not. Hers was always consistently perfect and if I had to choose a last meal it would have been her Thanksgiving dinner. It does seem that Thanksgiving is about feasting, isn’t it? I also believe it is about something that goes right along with feasting, and that is sharing.
For the past few weeks, the grocery stores have been gearing up for the holidays with lots of extra food. When I went to buy our turkey, I noticed that the meat department was offering BIG turkeys - like 18lbs, 20lbs, 25 pound birds! And we the people were buying those big turkeys. What does that mean? I would guess that it means company was coming for dinner! Those who were purchasing turkeys and potatoes and squash and stuffing bread and ingredients for pies were going to be cooking for company. They were going to SHARE their bounty with loved ones. It’s costly to feed a lot of people but we are willing to share our food at a time of giving thanks. We want to have a feast and we want to share it.
I would hope that Jesus would be happy with that. His primary concern was for the people. He healed them, he fed the multitudes, he raised them from the dead, and he taught them, as he teaches us today through the scriptures, through prayer and through a living prophet. He gave, when it seemed he had nothing left to give. He has told us over and over again that without charity we are nothing. So how can we focus on the Savior and become better people during these next few weeks of celebration? And more importantly, how can we carry these wonderful feelings of gratitude when it isn’t Thanksgiving?
One of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon comes from King Benjamin’s address. The first time I read this I was moved, because I had never thought of my life in this way. I love this scripture, it really blew me away. King Benjamin said, "I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another— I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants." (Mosiah 2:19-21)
We can’t ever thank Him enough. As King Benjamin explains so well, we wouldn’t even have life without Him. But He appreciates it when we care for others. We who have received the gospel of Jesus Christ have much to be thankful for. Even when life is difficult to the point of our being “heavy laden” there are still blessings we can count. We still receive favors from God, those tender mercies that we have heard much about from our speakers from time to time. Thanksgiving can be be difficult for those who are suffering and there are so many of us with troubles that no one sees. We could talk for hours about the ills that our loved ones are experiencing, sadness and trials. So being thankful may be something we have to work at, even on Thanksgiving.
If your life is like most others, Thursday was probably very busy, either traveling to where you wanted to go or preparing to have others over for the day. Either way, that can be hectic and emotionally trying which doesn’t lend itself to preparing your heart to be reflective and thankful. Thursday was a little bittersweet for me. I miss the old days, my grandparents and my father, and so many others who have passed on, but we are making new memories with friends who are family. The eight year old sits patiently at the dinner table, waiting for the food to be dished out and he says, “What would Thanksgiving be without friends?” Then as we fill up his plate he says to me, “This is quickly becoming overwhelming.” And I asked, “Is that good?” And he says, “Oh yeah.” The four year old has olives on all her fingertips. They are singing at the table. It was a good day and a thankful one. It could have been a hard day, but with a four year old with olives stuck on her fingers, not at all. I used to do that too, with my cousins.
So how can make the holiday season one of gratitude while we are scurrying through the mall? How can we become more like our Savior while wrapping presents or baking pies or scrubbing pots and pans? Well for one we can Remember Him. Several years ago, I saw a picture probably in the Ensign, that showed a woman cooking in her kitchen and her scriptures were open there on the counter. I like that. I even tried it once or twice but then got all worried that the pages would get dirty. Now, I’m a reader. This year according to Shelfari, which I use to keep track, I’ve read 40 books. How many hours upon hours is that spent reading? If I spent half that much time with the scriptures, I would be feasting on the words of Christ. How much could my life change if I put the open scriptures on the kitchen table where they wouldn’t get dirty? I would be inclined to spend more time finding those hidden treasures of knowledge. So that is one way to keep the Lord in mind. We make a covenant when we partake of the sacrament to always remember Him. That means He is a part of our thoughts, words, and our actions. It is impossible to show thanks to God if we don’t think or speak of Him. When we remember Him we are choosing to think, speak, and act as He would have us do. We can even memorize scriptures and quotes on gratitude to help us remember to give thanks to God.
Also, we can serve others - there are ways to be generous toward those with less and not envious of those with more. We tend to look at others who may be wealthier than ourselves and think, "I sure wish I had what they have." But that kind of thinking causes envy and jealousy rather than contentment. What can you do to break that cycle? Well, you can be generous to those who are less fortunate than yourself. All it takes is a little planning and personal sacrifice, then amazingly, opportunities to serve our fellowmen will arise, because the Lord knows we are willing and seeking to serve each other. Those who are in tough times frequently don’t have enough food. So you might want to serve a meal at a food cupboard, and not just during the holidays—everybody works there then—but on a regular basis during the year. That will remind you of how good you really have it.
Another way, is to acknowledge those you love. Tell them how thankful you are for having them in your life. So many times we neglect to take the time to say the words to express to those closest to us what their presence in our lives means to us. Take the opportunity during this season of thanks to write them a note, or put your hand on their shoulder, look them in the eyes and tell them. Let them know what they mean to you. During prayer, you may even wish to tell your Father in heaven how much He means to you. Everyone likes to be acknowledged, even the God of us all. In return you'll begin to create the possibility of deeper, richer, more fulfilling relationships with Him and all those you love.
I do truly love this time of year. I love the cooler weather and the early sunset because it means “cozy.” I like the summer too, with the longer nights, really, but I sure love this time of year. I like flannel sheets and wearing socks and sweaters. I love cooking at night and seeing the kitchen windows steam up because that means we are warm when it is cold outside. Winter cooking is so much better than summer cooking, you know, casseroles and soups and stews. That makes me happy. But when times go well it is easy to take things for granted. Blessings are expected rather than received with gratitude. Have you ever thought about how many things we take for granted every single day? Even sitting down to a meal with your loved ones can be taken for granted. Next time, look around the table. Really see the faces that are there. Don't focus on the food . . . focus on those you share the meal with. Go ahead and say a prayer. Thank God for the food and for your family. I remember doing that in the old days, the days when I wasn’t responsible for preparing the meal. I always sat next to my grandfather, that was my spot. I can still remember who sat where. But the point is, try hard not to take things for granted. Remember the words of King Benjamin, that God has kept and preserved us, lending us breath.
Enjoy this next month, even with all that needs to be done. Think of others and of the love in your life and especially the love that our Heavenly Father and our Savior have for you. Enjoy this feast of love and share it.
