Thursday, November 26, 2009

A Thanksgiving Day full of Thanksgiving

Hello everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving!

I awoke early this morning... (well, early for a "day off from work" day). As the alarm buzzed in my head, I desperately tried to get my mind around it... it sure looked like it was only 6:00AM! I guess that isn't very early, but "early enough". Cari had set the alarm just "early enough" for her to be able to "get cookin'" on our Thanksgiving dinner. I felt very thankful for her willingness to get up and work the kitchen, setting the stage for what surely will be a happy day. I then happily pulled the warm covers back over me, blissfully drifting off to the place in which my mind had been wandering before the alarm nudged me awake. ...

...My wandering mind had good opportunity to put a few miles in before the long climb out of sleep. It was almost 9:00AM when I finally left the shelter of my blankets. I watched the wildlife for a bit before rousting myself from bed. Our two cats, Noah and Sophie were on the foot of the bed, staring out the window. My curiosity having been poked at by the felines, I had to take a look too. There was a fat grey squirrel up in one of our apple trees, and he was having a feast on the three dozen or so apples that were desperately hanging on. He would scurry to an apple, take a couple of nibbles, move to a smaller one, pull it from the tree, and after a bite or two, let it fall to the ground, freeing him to pursue yet another apple! Two thoughts occupied my mind... this squirrel was being well provided for this year. God had prepared a feast for him, and he was apparantly thankful for it. ...This squirrel was also wonderfully made, and although he was quite rotund, he retained his agility, rapidly visiting several apples that were variously placed about the tree. ...
...The smells of the kitchen were quickly catching my attention, and I thought how God has provided for us this year. I was thankful for Him, and that He has not let us go without. We have good food, a home that is not too cold, and our children with us to share the day. ...
...As I readied myself for the day, I looked in the mirror, and had to smile. I have gotten a bit portly over the last few months, but I know that I have been wonderfully made by God! (Maybe I will get a "hike around the block" in before the day is over!)...

Finally, making it down the stairs, and into the kitchen, I thanked Cari for being the wonderful wife that she was, and for all her hard work. (I got a kiss!). The kids were soon sitting in the living room with us, chatting away. I am so thankful that they are both with us!

Yes, today is a "day off from work" day, but it is so much more than that. I do believe that Thanksgiving Day is just that, a day of thanksgiving. So, instead of falling into the rumbling and grumbling of a "normal day", I am going to walk a wide path around the normalcy. I am going to focus on the things that I have to be thankful for, and then, be thankful.

I pray that you all will be able to recognize God's Blessings for you also, even if they are small Blessings. I hope you will all join me in just being Thankful this Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Thanksgiving, and may God Bless you and yours,

Stickman