To: Another
I sure do love me some turkey and dressing! Oh, bring on the cranberry sauce, too! I’ll have
mine with whole berries. No whole berries? Well, slide the sauce straight out of the can and slice me a disc or two from it. (Side note, don’t you just love the cutlines on canned cranberry sauce? You know those lines were put there by the canned fruit factory just so we can get the right portions? LOL! That’s what I am going to believe anyways.)
I was scrolling online last week and saw an ad for adorable kid t-shirts. One had two turkeys on the front with quote bubbles. Turkey 1 asked, “What are you thankful for?” Turkey 2 replied, “Vegetarians!” |
There is so much attention given to the turkey during this time of year. Whether you are in the fields hunting wild turkeys or running wildly to the store to get the biggest and cheapest you can find. Maybe your turkey will find itself next to the ham at your family feast. (Now, that’s two critters who would never be barnyard buddies, but they’re gonna be sitting together on this particular day.)
Why turkeys? Why do we focus so heavily on them during the Thanksgiving season? From the history books to a Google search, we can find countless retellings about this feathered fella and how he and his descendants landed on tables across the country and across centuries. From the pilgrims to President Lincoln. From Sarah Hale to the first presidential pardoning of a gobbler by President Ronald Reagan. This bird has been born into a life of being hunted. Colonists came to a land and discovered a heavy population of turkeys, then they and their descendants nearly depleted the country of them. There would be fluctuations in the turkey population, one time being during the Great Depression. During a period when Americans were in a struggle to merely survive, turkeys were given reprieve.
“The Great Depression forced many families to abandon their farms, leaving the land open for wild turkeys to expand into. ‘As these farms slowly reverted to native grasses, shrubs, and trees, wild turkey habitat began to emerge,’ according to the National Wild Turkey Federation’s website.” (History.com)
Times of hardship for mankind have given way to life for turkeys. Their population increased as their borders expanded. Think on this for a moment.
In Psalm 56, David is crying out to God as he has been taken by the Philistines in Gath.
“…My foes attack me all day long. I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me.” (vs. 1b-2) “They are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting to harm me. They come together to spy on me—watching my every step, eager to kill me.” (vs. 5-6)
In the midst of fearing for his life, David knows he was anointed to be the next king, yet, in this very moment he cannot see how it will be physically possible. How on earth will he get out of this situation?!
God. God is his only hope. While he cries in anguish through four verses of Psalm 56, there are 9 other verses that reveal why he hasn’t surrendered his life to his enemies and died by their hands or even by his own.
Nine verses out of thirteen.
4 out of 13 moments share fear and emotional pain.
9 out of 13 moments share hope and give thanks.
God,
I’m tapping-out. I’ve been holding up my arms to block the blows. I need to rest. I'm tapping-out and giving You the ring, Lord.
I've been afraid; but now, I trust You to win the battle.
The ones who hurt me and insult me are human. You are God. You are angry at their wickedness. You are counting every tear and every sorrow of mine and recording each one in Your book. You are on my side and the enemy is going to run scared when they hear me calling You.
I trust You and I thank You! No one can hurt me because You are my Protector. No matter what they say to me, I am going to obey You and serve You.
In the end, I will be in Your presence and will no longer be afraid.
Thank You, Father. I know I can trust in You.
As you plan your time with friends and family, no matter how large or how small the gathering, take a moment to give God thanks. He has been your rescuer time and time again. He has expanded your borders beyond this rotating rock. You are an heir of Heaven! This is something no one can ever take from you! You will one day give thanks at the supper table where Jesus is seated at the head and all saints have gathered around. The music playing in the background will be the melodious sound of an angelic choir like none ever heard before.
So, whether you serve dressing or stuffing, regardless if you set out fine China or rip open a pack of paper plates, and whether you roast, smoke, or deep-fry the main course...pick up the phone and invite someone to your table who also needs a reason to be thankful. Share some turkey and some Jesus with them.
. . . . Throw in a slice of cranberry sauce, too, for good measure.
Little, B. (2023, March 28). How the Great Depression Helped Spare Wild Turkeys From Extinction. Retrieved from HISTORY: https://www.history.com/news/turkeys-great-depression-extinction
Tyndale House Publishers. (1988-2019). Life Application Study Bible, Third Ed. Carol Stream, Ill.
Comments