I remember 10 consecutive
Thanksgiving Days far from home. Thanksgivings were like any other
day. Offices remained open and life went on as usual.
The
secret entrance to every meaningful day is meeting with God in His Word. He
hears us and speaks clearly and truthfully to us according to it. Thanks be to God: That first year on
another continent a large ocean away from home---with no other family, turkey,
or trimmings---a true thanksgiving day came to me---one to be
shared with my husband and strangers for a
long time.
It began like
this: It was a gray
November day. My husband and I had moved into a downtown apartment about three weeks earlier. We had coffee together that morning, prayed together, and talked for a few minutes before he left for work.
After he left, I returned to bed on purpose. I reached for my copy of the
Living Bible and turned to the book of Psalms, for I could feel homesickness rising up in me, especially knowing it was Thanksgiving Day back home. I read:
O God my Strength! I will sing your
praises, for you are my place of safety.-Psalm
59
For wherever I am, though far away
at the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help...For you are my refuge, a
high tower.-Psalm 61
I lie awake at night thinking of
you-of how much you have helped me-and how I rejoice through the night beneath
the protecting shadow of your wings. I follow close behind you, protected by
your strong right arm.-Psalm 63
The right arm of God is Jesus, God's only begotten
Son!
O God who saves us. You are the only
hope of all mankind
throughout the world and far away
upon the sea….-Psalm 65:5
Let everyone bless You, O God, and
sing Your praises, for You hold our lives in Your hands. And You hold our feet
to the path. -Psalm 66:8
God sees earthly pilgrims in far more need than I was
then. Many are desperate, homeless, rejected, and brokenhearted…far from home in
different ways. God is equally with close and loving families that give thanks
to Him in gatherings at the table.
Whatever our situation or location, in Christ all
things ultimately and eternally will be set right. God's eternal plan of love
and life is active through Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. Because of Christ,
every day is truly a day to give thanks!
Now the God of peace, that brought
again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through
the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Make you perfect in every good
work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. -Hebrews
13:20, 21 (King James Version-Bible)
(c) 2008 Jane Bullard
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