tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222780946540485379.post8344603056089750604..comments2023-06-03T09:14:09.520-04:00Comments on Here Only: My Problem with ThanksgivingSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09063029032695060303noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222780946540485379.post-46641116470854635252010-11-29T21:05:30.614-05:002010-11-29T21:05:30.614-05:00You said what I was too tired to try to articulate...You said what I was too tired to try to articulate! I too feel this underlying sadness around Thanksgiving and the 4th of July. I wish we lived in a country that could make room in our cultural landscape for grief as well as pride. Unfortunately, we would rather equate patriotism with a feeling of superiority, rather than a desire to make our country better. Thanks for making me think, and know that you're not the only one cringing with your kid comes home in a headdress!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222780946540485379.post-75108557323205909672010-11-23T07:56:37.703-05:002010-11-23T07:56:37.703-05:00im seconding susies comment, 'Dad' when ar...im seconding susies comment, 'Dad' when are you starting a blog? and where can i subscribe... love you susie and family! so thankful for youLindsaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222780946540485379.post-4694726368154398642010-11-22T22:18:34.668-05:002010-11-22T22:18:34.668-05:00Keep challenging us, Stephanie. Really helpful co...Keep challenging us, Stephanie. Really helpful comments.Jeedoohttp://inkindle.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222780946540485379.post-16876000567970513522010-11-22T22:09:36.058-05:002010-11-22T22:09:36.058-05:00Wow! Very thought-provoking, indeed! I'm pas...Wow! Very thought-provoking, indeed! I'm passing this on. Thanks for the great read!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222780946540485379.post-31304376143742153662010-11-22T20:16:06.156-05:002010-11-22T20:16:06.156-05:00Thanks for the thoughts dad. When are you going to...Thanks for the thoughts dad. When are you going to start a blog?Susiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09063029032695060303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222780946540485379.post-45374058392791823282010-11-22T16:12:10.635-05:002010-11-22T16:12:10.635-05:00I think breaking your concerns down into the very ...I think breaking your concerns down into the very specific effects and consequences of settling a new land (even though it "belonged" to someone else), or fighting for freedom (whether it be for me or another), or even the awareness of a superiority complex (whether perceived or real) helps us to talk about and consider the interconnectedness of it all. However, I think what you describe is really part of the larger, more encompassing issue that men (mankind) are sinners. We are sinners throughout our very nature and not merely our behaviors. Thus all we do, whether for good reasons or poor; for serving of others or serving of self; even the most altruisitic of endeavors may still in some way be satisfying a personal goal or longing; is rife with sin. Sin is ugly and therefore we tend to focus on the more pretty side (if there is one.) I just want to say that I too am thankful for "things" I enjoy. I am thankful for family and I am thankful for my work and my lifestyle and freedom to choose, etc. At Thanksgiving, however, what I want to be most thankful for is the fact that the grace of God (which includes good gifts) was visited upon me in a saving way for eternity. I hope and pray that even if my things were to be taken away, my family were to fall apart from me, my lifestyle becomes one of destitution rather than prosperity, or that the freedoms that I currently enjoy should ever be tajken away, that I would be as thankful at those Thanksgivings as I am today. When I consider the cost of my homeland, my freedom, my prosperity and nice things, I am aware that those enjoyments have no doubt come to me at someone else's pain, discomfort, cost, or loss. Yet, to me, none of that loss compares to the the pain and loss of the Jesus that died for me. I don't want anyone to ever think that my celebration of Thanksgiving is simply to dull me to the costs incurred for me to be thankful. I am thankful because I don't deserve the crumbs from our table as we will gather this week, but God through His marvelous mysterious grace, still spreads before me a banquet fit for kings. I know when I take my portion of delicious pie that there are many others who have none. I will enjoy the taste of the pie but I will be reminded that I don't deserve to have it over anyone else, and that tomorrow I may actually not have it while someone else does. It keeps pushing me back to Jesus where I ask Him the same question I have asked him for 40 years: Why me, Jesus? Why do you love ME so? <br />I have rambled much, been interrupted by teachers and alumni several times (yes I am writing this at work!) and therefore am not even sure anymore what I said or what I wanted to say, but if nothing else is clear, may I at least say this: Jesus, I thank you. Jesus I thank you. Jesus I thank you for you being you and being a blessing of grace in my life.Dadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18196945285486620359noreply@blogger.com