Thanksgivng 2025

Thanksgiving, 2025

Thanksgiving means several things, but for me, it has become a sacred day to give our Creator and Sustainer gratitude, thanks, for all He is and has done for us.

• It is a time when we can gather with family and friends and enjoy the meal around the table.  I remember when the two families of Scholtzes gathered around the big dining room table, and Granny—who ruled the roost—would run the meal time courses of the meal.  At the other end was Pappy, sharpening his carving knife on what I thought was an extra wide and long belt strap.  The artistry of his carving has not been preserved in our family, but I sure remember it.
• It was a time when cousins could play and laugh without a care in the world.  Maybe we knew better than the adults that we were being cared for by more than our folks. I remember the day I was promoted to the adult table to eat and found that I wanted to return to the kid’s table because at that table, the conversation was filled with happiness and a subtle thankfulness, without the serious nature of adult conversations.  

Yes, Thanksgiving was about relationships, and no matter how far we were from one another, it was the one day we got together as if there was no time between this special day and the last time we were together a year before.

It is a time of delicious food, but each prayer reminded us of how fortunate we were and that we should share our bounty with those who had less.  In a way, it became a prep time for Christmas giving because it focused on others as God focused on us in times of our great needs.

And it’s a time of gratitude, which should be a daily practice, but on this day, it combines the love and relationships we have for one another together.  But one more thing. I am aware of those who have no one else, no spouse, no family near or far.  They have friends, but they travel to family or other friends on this day.  I ran into a resident and saw a hurt on her face.  She has a son, but he did not invite her to their Thanksgiving meal.   I remember Adam having folks over on Thanksgiving who were going to be by themselves, and the joy they received by just being included.  I also know of folks who have so many people around them, but they are so “down in the dumps” that they feel alone, even alienated.  But the great gift is that God gives of Himself, and if they just receive His Holy Spirit, they and all of us, lonely or not, would have the best Thanksgivings of all.  

So thank you, God, for giving Yourself, blessing us with Your presence this day and every day, filling us with hope and joy in the midst of all we face.  What a joy to celebrate my favorite holiday…Thanksgiving. No gifts to receive because we have received all that we have.  No decorations, nor Santa Claus to draw our attentions away from the focus of our gratitude, God in Christ, with the Holy Spirit. 

1 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT): I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.

Thank you, Father God!    

And I am thankful for you! May your day be blessed with the presence of God, always!

Quentin

Sharecropper’s Inheritance