Giorno di Ringraziamento (Thanksgiving)
Italians are generally fascinated by the story of Thanksgiving. In fact, there are very few things that will draw Italians away from the work-a-day life to be a part of it if you invite them. Each year from now, we want to expand our outreach to include more and more of our Italian friends with a powerful story of our Separitist forefathers. We also see another general need — the education of Americans on their holiday. Pocahantas from Disney won’t cut it. In fact, Disney-Poca needs to be re-written itself if we desire in any way to be accurate with history.
Today, we will share Thanksgiving with 4 Americans & 4 Italians. Sandy has done a wonderful job and her brother David and wife Kim are here from Caleeforni-A.
To be thankful, I believe you have to look at the dark side clearly. While not a Jedi Master myself, it’s not too hard to think about how not to receive or not to have or not to deserve. The image of a destitute orphan comes to mind. When I consider that I don’t deserve anything and that I am undone, thankfulness comes simply because I can easily recognize what has been given to me (apart from myself and my own doing).
Today, I’m thankful for who I am. I am depraved but saved. Therefore, I have acted in such a way to negate all the goodness of God. “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” [Romans 2:5] I was an enemy deserving of nothing more than righteous judgment. However, I have been
I’m also thankful for that with which I have been sustained. Not only have I been promised freedom, eternal life & redemption, and the favor of God, but I’ve also been given rich grace by which to live and enjoy life. My house was warm this morning when I woke up. I have never had to suffer the cold eating away at my body hour after hour pleading with God and wondering when the winter might end. God has not chosen for me to suffer in this way - although our office is quite cold b/c we have no heat in there. Therefore, the pleasure and comfort of warmth is so refreshing, given to me by God’s grace, and something to thank Him for. I continue on with my wife and my children and my church. All three of these to which I am covenanted. Each of the covenants are there for my protection, sacrifice, and well-doing. In these precious covenants, I am made to be a giving man which makes me a thankful man. What would I do without them? Thank you Lord, our Provider.
Finally, I want to salute forefathers of history for emphasizing this day. First, the Separatists (pilgrims) deserve our honor for dying to worship, sharing with all of God’s creatures, and setting an example in the middle of difficulty. Second, Abraham Lincoln, maybe our most godly president, deserves our memory and thanks for placing this holiday into national observance. And third, to my parents and many grandparents that have gone on before me but always stayed faithful to their covenants and the giving of thanks to the Great Giver.
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