Happy Thanksgiving

Here I sit at 3:30 on Thanksgiving morning with my first cup of coffee in hand. I love this holiday and woke up early so I could steal a little time alone. In a few hours the place will be filled to overflowing with friends and family. The house has been properly scrubbed from crisp white ceilings to shinny hardwood floors. The cobwebs have all been swept away and the dogs bathed and warned to be on their best behavior. The children’s goodie bags have been put together and color pages, puzzles, and mazes printed out. Pies and cakes have been baked and casseroles prepared and stashed in the fridge. In just a few minutes the bread will be rising and the turkey all dressed and in the oven.

In about an hour the boys will arrive for their annual Thanksgiving hunt. This year it must be ducks since they are taking Bruno along. Jimmy started the tradition when Richard was twelve. Now the hunt includes nephews, grandsons, and this year since Jake is still in training a handful of his friends are stepping up to take his place. They will be back around noon, cold, happy and hungry…sneaking a taste of this and a taste of that before showering, dressing for dinner, and turning on football.

I can not help but think of Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” KJV

We have another family tradition in the Kyzer compound Thanksgiving Day festivities. Everyone goes around the table at tells what they are thankful for and Psalms 100 is read. Jake was the first to read it…his idea when he was nine. His class had to memorize it for school one year and he fell in love with the scripture. When his turn came around, he stood up and said, “I am thankful that I don’t have to read this…but I want to read it"…and proceeded. My big brother, the Baptist minister, could have preached a sermon and almost did during the prayer! This year, for the first time, our seven year old grandson, Hunter, will be doing the reading.

We will definitely feel the void with Jake’s absence this year. I am almost positive the chow hall turkey and trimmings can not compare to his mama’s. smiling here… However, we know that the miles that separate us can not separate our hearts and our family is together in spirit.

My heart is full this day of thanksgiving…this day to share love…this day of joy and my soul sings to the Savior who rescued me…while I was in my worst state. He who showers me with blessings… and as I look into the faces of the 23 adults and 9 children…I will be reminded of that eternal love.

The things and people I am thankful for this year are far too numerous to be named here, but rest assured your name is among them. Happy Thanksgiving…I pray our Lord smiles upon you and yours as we enter this season of hope…this season of love. God bless you all.

Psalms 100
1) Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands,2) Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.3) Know ye that the Lord, He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves: we are the sheep of His pasture.4) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.5) For the Lord is good: His mercy is everlasting: and His truth endureth to all generations.~KJV