It is now 10:28 p.m. I should be tucked in bed, Marje at my feet, a book in my hands, and sleep swiftly on its way. . . Well, three out of four ain't bad. Instead of the book, I have my laptop. I may not have time to post my usual Wednesday blog tomorrow, so I thought I'd give it a go tonight; and besides, I haven't had much opportunity to write lately and it's making me grumpy. So if the author of this blog seems to be a little incoherent or dozes off in the middle of it, you know why.
In approximately 27 1/2 hours it will be Thanksgiving Day, 2009 - a day when we stop all of our usually activities to attend a feast. There aren't too many meals throughout the year that can hold that title, but Thanksgiving Day? I don't know what else you can call it. It's certainly not just a meal. The feasting itself isn't the primary purpose of the day though - or at least it's not supposed to be. It's meant to be a day to focus on those things in life for which we are thankful - that was the original idea anyway. In reality, I think it's more like a kick-off to the annual Season of Gluttony (in all respects). Some people merely call it The Holiday Season.
And in that spirit, let me say that every year I get just a little more disgusted with the materialism-god that we worship (myself included). Don't get me wrong, I love the whole gift-exchange thing with my husband and four kids. I love getting together with the people I love most in the world but don't get to see nearly often enough. I love the trees and lights and ribbons and the festive air.
The problem is that these things are very distracting, and I don't ever want to forget what it's all about. From Thanksgiving and black Friday, Christmas parties, and cookie-baking all the way through Christmas Day. It's all about One thing, and it's too easy to lose that when our focus - and the focus of our entire society - is on stuff: food, clothes, gifts, decorations, parties. Honestly, how often do you think about the reason you're celebrating?
This Thanksgiving, when someone asks me what I'm thankful for, I don't want to give a pat answer. I want to think. I want to look beyond the things that I can see and hear, taste and touch. I want to look beyond the obvious. I want to keep asking myself the questions that make me dig, make me sift through my life to find the bottom line - and thank Him. He's the One we're celebrating. There's nothing beyond Him. There's nothing besides Him.
And by His grace, I won't forget that this year as I baste my turkey, indulge in a little gluttony, and laugh with those I love. I don't really need much more than that.
In approximately 27 1/2 hours it will be Thanksgiving Day, 2009 - a day when we stop all of our usually activities to attend a feast. There aren't too many meals throughout the year that can hold that title, but Thanksgiving Day? I don't know what else you can call it. It's certainly not just a meal. The feasting itself isn't the primary purpose of the day though - or at least it's not supposed to be. It's meant to be a day to focus on those things in life for which we are thankful - that was the original idea anyway. In reality, I think it's more like a kick-off to the annual Season of Gluttony (in all respects). Some people merely call it The Holiday Season.
And in that spirit, let me say that every year I get just a little more disgusted with the materialism-god that we worship (myself included). Don't get me wrong, I love the whole gift-exchange thing with my husband and four kids. I love getting together with the people I love most in the world but don't get to see nearly often enough. I love the trees and lights and ribbons and the festive air.
The problem is that these things are very distracting, and I don't ever want to forget what it's all about. From Thanksgiving and black Friday, Christmas parties, and cookie-baking all the way through Christmas Day. It's all about One thing, and it's too easy to lose that when our focus - and the focus of our entire society - is on stuff: food, clothes, gifts, decorations, parties. Honestly, how often do you think about the reason you're celebrating?
This Thanksgiving, when someone asks me what I'm thankful for, I don't want to give a pat answer. I want to think. I want to look beyond the things that I can see and hear, taste and touch. I want to look beyond the obvious. I want to keep asking myself the questions that make me dig, make me sift through my life to find the bottom line - and thank Him. He's the One we're celebrating. There's nothing beyond Him. There's nothing besides Him.
And by His grace, I won't forget that this year as I baste my turkey, indulge in a little gluttony, and laugh with those I love. I don't really need much more than that.
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