“Waiting for The Bird”

by,

Emilio Chaviano

November 22, 2012

Americans are very religious people and most of us are going through the rituals of Thanksgiving Day.  Let me count some: travel to be with family and friends, turkey preparation with all the trimmings, football games, eating excessively, drinking all sorts of libations, and wishing you had not consumed so much.  Thanksgiving Day is a very American tradition which is not observed in most of the world. We do, because be have come to believe that God has imparted special blessings upon this nation.  Thanksgiving is a good time to examine this belief.  Since I am at a big family gathering I don’t have to do anything but relax and wait for the turkey. Much more able hands will fix everything and later the bird will appear at our table. Meanwhile I am reading Psalm 100 trying to rediscover the true meaning of thanksgiving. The Psalmist invites us to shout for joy to the Lord and to know that we are his creation. The Psalm also reveals the creator’s nature as being good and that his love endures forever. Let us not just feed our faces on Thursday. Reflect on these words of wisdom and feed in your heart. This is also a good time to be humble and not feel that we are more blessed than others. Feed your soul and mind while you wait for the turkey and pray for a grateful heart. We live in a hurting world where so many have no hope.  Let us spend less, consume responsibly, give more, and practice the art of giving thanks!