Dear Parish Family,
Once upon a time, there was an adorable little boy with big brown eyes, a smile
that could charm anyone, who had a very heavy stainless steel leg brace to his knee.
He attended nursery school and came home ever so proudly wearing his
black pilgrim hat and carried his prize possession of a paper turkey, complete
with colored feathers. His excitement was overflowing. He asked "if his turkey
could be the centerpiece for the family Thanksgiving." Well, of course!! His
next request was "could he say grace, rather than grandpa?" And quickly recited
"God is great - God is God." Of course, you can! He then proceeded to announce
the menu, beginning with "the big turkey". The look of utter disappointment came
when he was told we would have roast beef. (No one in this family is fond of turkey.)
With the innocence of a four-year-old, he asked "How can we be thankful for roast
beef?" For us as adults, it was a teaching moment. We need to be grateful for
whatever is on our table. More importantly, our family were so grateful that God
had provided doctors and medical personnel who had made it possible for
Christopher to walk. "O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast
love endures forever." (1Chronicles 16:34) Obviously, this is a story that is repeated
some forty years later and the message is the same.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let's turn this word around into one of giving thanks!
Our God continues to provide many blessings for us. As it says in Ephesians "May
we be filled with the Holy Spirit and be grateful to share with family and friends.
Mary Jo