Thanksgiving Day Thoughts...

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, is one of my favorite days for a couple reasons.  The first being that my oldest daughter was actually born on Thanksgiving Day.  Now, THAT day was an adventure.  The second being, I love me some turkey, my mamma's cornbread dressing and, of course, cranberry sauce!!  

This year was different though.  As I prepared my 2 dishes Thursday morning to bring to the Thanksgiving Day feast at my sister-in-law's house, I kept thinking about those precious children in Africa.  I wonder what they would do to celebrate Thanksgiving Day (if it were celebrated there)?  When I visited Mozambique a couple years ago, I saw something that I hope I will never forget!  These kids carried their bowls and utensils around in bags so that they would be prepared to eat when a meal was available.  They carried these bags around as if they were treasures (and to them they certainly were).  For many, this meal served at the care point is their only meal of the day.

Later that day, as I stood in the kitchen looking at all of the food we had each prepared to eat (and what a spread it was!) I wondered what those precious children would do if they saw it?  Would they be more thankful than we were for this grand meal?  Would they be mad because we wasted so much food?  The saddest part was (as all 16 of us stuffed ourselves) we could do this every day if we wanted.  We have the luxury, and yes, I do mean luxury, of eating:  what we want, when we want, how much we want...

This year I am most thankful that God decided to put me right here, right now.  We in America don't know poverty like these kids know it, and if we did, I'm sure our outlook would be different.  We'd all shop differently for Christmas gifts.  We'd all be grateful for things we don't think twice about.  I am so grateful that my children and grandchildren will not have to carry around bags with bowls and utensils as they play.  Thank You Lord that You put us right here, right now.  What made You decide to put each of us in this place & time?  Now, the big question, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH THIS?