After the Turkey- Full and Blue

"When you lie down you will not be afraid; you shall lie down and your sleep shall indeed be sweet."
(Proverbs 3:24) 
"In peace I will lie down and sleep for you alone O Lord, make me dwell in safety."  (Psalm 4:8)

One part of Thanksgiving tradition is the Thanksgiving nap.  Some say it is caused by the turkey's extra tryptophan which creates melatonin which sinks us into sleep.  Others say it is the dressing/stuffing and deserts full of high carbs and sugars.  Others say it might be that glass of wine or spirits that some sip on special occasions.  But there is also an emotional and spiritual side of it.  We get up, get a bit excited and anxious about seeing the relatives- some of whom we need to forgive- some of whom rub us the wrong way.  After high excitement or stress, our bodies want to rest- take a breath- take a break.  
     There are lots of examples of that in the Bible.  Adam fell into a deep sleep ("caused by the Lord") after tending the garden.  Saul fell asleep chasing after David.  Elijah had a great celebration with a triumph over the prophets of Baal- then he ran basically a marathon and he fell asleep exhausted (and even depressed).  Jesus fell asleep in the boat after dealing with the crowds and the excitement of calling his disciples to follow Him.  There was even a storm and the disciples thought they would drown, but Jesus still remained asleep.  Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves.  
      Jesus could sleep anywhere.  He could also stay awake all night praying.  There is a certain security and peace found in knowing God is always awake guarding us.  Our sleep can be sweet because we know God watches over us.  
     The other side of eating a lot is a slow metabolism, and often a blue/ depression feeling.  Everyone went back home- the college kids went back or found their friends- we will miss them.  Or everyone went back home- and we are relieved and can let go a bit.  Some handle their depression by shopping.  Shopping can give you some energy- and keep you from missing those folks quite as much- as you are buying them presents.  Retailers have long known this- so the big sales are on Friday- and in case the relatives are still there- you can buy on online Monday. Others sit and watch movies or just sleep more.  
     One thing Christians might consider is looking out for their neighbors who are alone- after their people have left, and showing them concern or love.  A visit to the nursing home folk is great.  Writing cards- thank you notes- or Christmas cards is a good tradition too.  Exercise is a great tool to work off some of those extra cards- a walk on a cooler day is a good thing for the emotional and spiritual heart.  Prayer to God for those who you saw or you missed is always a good thing.  

Prayer: Lord, we know we should give thanks to you more than just one day.  Yet, thanks for one day to stop, count blessings, see friends or loved ones, and to catch our breath.  Strengthen my heart today to do something for others out of the love for neighbor that you inspire in my heart.  

Turkey nap- 93.7

"Just Be Thankful For What You Got"

 In 1974 a "disco" song sold two million copies and reached #1 on the R &B charts- William Devaughn's "Be Thankful for What You Got."  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvtlt-p7vB4. Here are some great lines: "You may not drive a car at all...but remember brother and sister you can still stand tall...just be thankful for what you got."  
Stuff and shopping for stuff has for the most part become a distraction to the deep things of life for our culture.  It is like light pollution that keeps us from seeing the stars at night.  Admittedly, they are small blessings. But they are not designed to keep us from ever thinking and worshiping the One who gives us life so we may be able to enjoy the small blessings. 
One question for our mental health- can we lay aside covetousness enough to be thankful for what we've got?  Can we count the blessings we have?  The ability to have peace in our hearts may not rely simply on how much stuff, but the ability to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:17).   Christians can give thanks with their circumstances (better/worse; richer/poorer; sickness/health) because we have a God who will see us through and His will and purpose will win in the end.  We who believe, are tied to Him and His cause- and therefore we will win too.  I know when my football team wins, I say "we won" even though I did not sweat a lick or touch the field.  So we, who are tied to God by faith and trust, win if He wins.  It is not the stuff we have that enables us to stand tall- or even that we should have dignity in just being human.   We have a God who continually lifts us up out of the mire and will ultimately lift us up to Him.  


Thanksgiving in me usually elicits a song.  I think of "Come Ye Thankful People Come" or "Now Thank We All Our God."  Or (non-hymns) "Thanks A Lot" (Raffi).   Put a song in your mind and heart today.  Put a prayer of gratitude on your lips. 

Happy Thanksgiving!  

Norman Rockwell's 1943 "Freedom from Want"

Hospitality and Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is in some ways a celebration of hospitality.  
Historically, the Pilgrims came to a foreign land, where there seed did not grow, and they would have died except for the hospitality of some of the indigenous peoples.  The first winter there, many women died and corn was rationed out so that, according to one Pilgrim writer, they rationed out five kernels of corn per day.  Half of the Pilgrims had died- only 47 of the 102 were left.  Samoset knew some English and greeted the Pilgrims 3/16/1621.  He came back with Tisquantum, called Squanto, who was a member of the Patuxet Tribe of the Wampanoags and spoke good English.  He taught them how to plant corn, how to hunt and to fish in those waters.  The land on which the Pilgrims were settling (near Plymoth Rock) was the home of the Patuxets who had been wiped out by a plague three years earlier.  Squanto was the last remaining Patuxet and knew that land like no one else, and helped them settle and survive.  Squanto helped make a treaty with the Wapanoags and chief Massasoit.  Squanto showed hospitality to the Pilgrims, who in turn protected him when Massasoit thought Squanto had betrayed him.  When Massasoit got sick, Edward Winslow, a Pilgrim, helped him and that softened Massasoit toward the Pilgrims.  The Pilgrims celebrated the first harvest in the new land October 15,1621, giving thanks to God for their bounty.  They had invited Chief Massasoit to join them and he in turn invited 90 warriors who brought their own deer and game to the feast.  Some have twisted this story as if the Pilgrims could do no good simply for landing on the abandoned land.  But the lesson of peace, of a joint meal, of helping each other and welcoming the stranger are important lessons even today. 
    Today, we do not give thanks simply because of the Pilgrims.  We have our own things to be thankful for.  As we see wars in other lands, we are grateful for our peace.  Today the plague of Covid has lessened sharply over two years ago.  Today we can gather at church or football or basketball games without fear.  The shortages of some foods (I remember when you could not buy bacon) or goods (remember when toilet paper was scarce) is gone.  If you are alive today, it is a reason to give thanks.  Life is a great gift.  It is a great gift from a great Giver in the Creator.  But more than that, there is hope.  God can give us hope when we cannot generate hope in and of ourselves.  God can help us to "give thanks in all circumstances" because we know that He is able to turn what is evil into good (like the cross into a resurrection).  
     Christians have the opportunity to let their thanks to God be contagious.  Part of good hospitality is inviting others to take part with us, or to take part with others in their place.  Jesus had no home to offer others- but He still ate and drank with sinners, and offers to "come in and sup with us" (Rev. 3:20).  Being around others and being kind is an important part of hospitality.  This Thanksgiving, give thanks with others.  

"The First Thanksgiving" Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863-1930)

Prayer: Lord as I have opportunity to be with others and show them your love, let me take it.  You have been so good to us.  Help us to see your blessings, concentrate on them, and find peace, hope, faith, and love in you.