11/26/2009 7:02:00 AM Don't take my Thanksgiving away
By PAMELA STRICKER Publisher
Thanksgiving is still one of my favorite holidays in spite of the fact that our culture is doing its best to rob us of it.
Those pilgrims sure had wisdom when they set aside a time to celebrate their blessings and gathered together to share a meal. It's getting more difficult to protect Thanksgiving ... to keep it in its rightful place of rest, relaxation and time of gratitude. It's sandwiched in between Halloween and Christmas and they begin to overlap more and more all the time. I don't know about you, but I need Thanksgiving - a day to take a deep breath, a day to relax, a day to pause before the busyness of the season overtakes me.
Something about it says, "Let's just take a little time to reflect" and if it were not for this day set aside it would be even harder to make the time to do so. It is a holiday that comes with little expectation other than a gathering of those we care about and sharing a feast.
As I reflect on my blessings, I can't help thinking of so many in need. It's so hard to hear the stories of those that have especially been ravaged by the effects of joblessness and the economy.
But out of the mire, we have seen the rise of the entrepreneurial spirit, hurting hearts that find ways to be grateful and resourceful, prideful spirits humbled and discovering ways to serve in a manner they never had before, renewed self-esteem through the support of initiatives and help with education and the provision of basic needs like food, clothing and shelter.
Someone commented recently, after seeing the recent makeover of the kitchen at Sugartree Ministries (courtesy of Rachael Ray), that it was "just too nice for these people." Oh yeah? Sounds like someone who has never had to know what it's like to be truly needy. I do. Because I have been there.
I'll never forget a Christmas many years ago in a small town in Missouri. I was a single mom with three little ones and barely scraping by and no idea how I would handle providing food, let alone Christmas presents. One night, I came home with the kids after a day that lasted already about eight hours too long, and discovered a huge box on my porch.
Inside that box, I discovered all kinds of food and a gift, hand-picked, for each of my children and even a beautiful blouse for me.
I never learned who it was that left that "miracle" on my doorstep but I do know who it was that inspired them with a heart to love someone in need.
The recent gift of a made over soup kitchen - a kitchen any gourmet chef would envy - speaks so much about our folks in need. It makes the statement that even though you may be going through a tough time, that you may be in need, we are going to honor you and do something for you to help you understand you are not alone, and there is no shame in the place you find yourself in today. We will get through this together.
The soup kitchen is beautiful and it was great to meet Rachael Ray, Nick Lachey, Carter Oosterhouse and to rub shoulders with some famous folks. But the greatest thrill for me is that this was a gift to those in need ... a gift extended with no strings attached, without expecting anything in return, given without judging, without condemnation, without trying to determine if those getting help really deserve it or not.
They placed a "miracle" on our "front porch." They protected the dignity of those in need and said essentially, "Come be our guest in a really beautiful place and let's break bread together."
You may be the one in need of a miracle or you may be the one who can deliver the miracle in someone's life. We are going to look back at this time in our lives and realize either we were the recipient of God's grace to us when we were in need, or that we did something that made a difference helping someone else get through this season.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
Pamela Stricker is publisher of The Times-Gazette and Wilmington News Journal and is group publisher for Brown Publishing's southwest region.
Posted: Thursday, November 26, 2009
Article comment by:
Jim Moore
Quote: "....even though you may be going through a tough time, that you may be in need, we are going to honor you and do something for you to help you understand you are not alone, and there is no shame in the place you find yourself in today. We will get through this together."
Indeed, indeed! In a very real way it can be a good thing if someone finds themselves in needy circumstances, especially early in life, because somewhere down the road they will be in a position to help someone who is in dire straits.
And on that day, they will understand that helping neighbors in need is not so much a favor to the one in need, as it is a privilege bestowed upon the helper.
