Anne invited her family to...
Illustration
Anne invited her family to her home for Thanksgiving. It was a huge undertaking -- her
children and their families. The list seemed to grow; a daughter-in-law wanted to include
her parents who had nowhere to go on Thanksgiving. Her son-in-law wanted to include
his brother. Anne agreed, knowing it would mean more work for her. What she did not
expect was the fighting between siblings when one wanted to bring his dog. Tom felt he
could not leave his dog at home alone. The week before, Tom told his mother that if he
could not bring his dog, he would not attend the dinner, which upset Anne.
Several days before, Anne borrowed tables and chairs from the church to accommodate over thirty people in total. On Tuesday, Anne wasn't feeling well, it was just too much, and her husband encouraged her to go see the doctor. She said she didn't have time. She admitted to the doctor the extra stress she was feeling, and that she had not been sleeping well, which might have accounted for the higher-than-normal blood pressure. The doctor told Anne to try to relax. Her husband asked other family members to help out.
On Thanksgiving Day, the family began arriving by late morning. By the time they sat down to dinner, the house was full of adults, children, and a dog. One of her granddaughters said it best, "Thank you, Lord, for everyone being here today."
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, knowing that we are about to enter the busiest time of the year may we remember Jesus' words, "Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" And be challenged, "But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Several days before, Anne borrowed tables and chairs from the church to accommodate over thirty people in total. On Tuesday, Anne wasn't feeling well, it was just too much, and her husband encouraged her to go see the doctor. She said she didn't have time. She admitted to the doctor the extra stress she was feeling, and that she had not been sleeping well, which might have accounted for the higher-than-normal blood pressure. The doctor told Anne to try to relax. Her husband asked other family members to help out.
On Thanksgiving Day, the family began arriving by late morning. By the time they sat down to dinner, the house was full of adults, children, and a dog. One of her granddaughters said it best, "Thank you, Lord, for everyone being here today."
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, knowing that we are about to enter the busiest time of the year may we remember Jesus' words, "Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" And be challenged, "But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
