Turkey, Tacos, and Gratitude
I may have lost the trust of a few friends this week, because despite the joy of this day of gratitude, I have to admit — I don’t love the food. Hear me out — I think turkey is fine. Stuffing? Sure, I’ll have some. And I am just as grateful as the next person; I just happen to be even more so when there are tacos instead of turkey on my plate. If this seems a sacrilege to you, my husband agrees wholeheartedly. You can find him in the seconds line later today to discuss.
Don’t get me wrong, a special day set apart to focus on gratitude is lovely. A set menu of special things we eat only once in a while, coupled with time spent with loved ones to mark the occasion is delightful. In fact, the thanksgiving gathering is reminiscent of the many festivals observed during Jesus’ time, and thus I know he wholeheartedly approves.
Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread was celebrated in the early spring, thanking God for their deliverance from slavery and for the beginning of the barley harvest. The Feast of Weeks was observed in early summer, thanking God for the beginning of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Tabernacles was in the fall, thanking God for the end of the harvest season. God told them to “Be joyful at your festival. … For the Lord your God will bless you,” Deuteronomy 16:14-15.
Our Thanksgiving is not unlike these. A wonderful time to focus our hearts on God’s provision and goodness in gratitude. What is hitting my heart as of late is what happens tomorrow — the day after thanksgiving. No, I don’t mean black Friday. I mean the day after and the day after that. Are they marked with thanksgiving?
Perhaps it’s because I am in prolonged season of questioning, of seeking and not exactly finding answers, that I am clinging to any place I can be clear of God’s will for my life. And it is here that God is calling me out, because God’s will and gratitude are inextricably intertwined. The verse He keeps returning me to is this: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.””
Can I tell you, I am not good at this verse. When God feels silent or slow to answer my first reaction is not rejoicing. I do not default to gratitude. I wish I did. I have room to grow here. But because of this verse I know I’m not alone. Paul would never have written these words in a letter to the church in Thessalonica if they (and we) didn’t need the reminder.
Yet, if we are to believe the truth of these verses, we have to admit that the festivals, the planned days of thanksgiving, aren’t about single moments of isolated gratitude. Rather, they should serve as guideposts and reminders for how we are to always respond. More than anything, I am thankful for that gentle leading today. God is good all the time — even when I don’t know what He’s up to. There is so much to be thankful for, if only we choose to see it.
So, on this annual thankful Thursday, I’m committing to memorizing this verse, to seeking places to express gratitude to God on the regular no matter what else is happening in tandem. A weekly Taco Tuesday of gratitude seems just the thing to sweeten the deal. For today, bring on the turkey!
