I like getting swept up in traditions. I am constantly meeting people and a question that I love to ask is what are some of your most treasured holiday traditions with your family. That is what the holidays are about right?! Being jolly with those whom you love and sharing moments that turn into memories that shape who you are.
I began to understand about 4 years ago that all of life was meant to be lived for God’s glory. As the holidays were approaching I was trying to think through how I could make a thanksgiving feast Gospel saturated all the while dripping with love for others. My family was spread out and each member was dealing with their own fair share of difficulty and hurt mostly due to someone bearing their same last name. Sooo..I excitedly thought I would invite my whole family and closest friends over to my house for a thanksgiving feast and a time of reflection called “a penny for your thanksgiving day thought” the saturday after Thanksgiving. Each year I would pick a verse and plaster it up all over the walls, adorn the tables with burlap and cranberries and orange and purple long stem candles, send out the invitations verbally or by email and on the Saturday after Thanksgiving they would come. I think one year we had at least 30 people packed into my little house on Seawell Ave in Raleigh. I would cook the Turkey and everyone else would bring a side. We were a ragamuffin of a gathering but each year my family came.
Before we would eat we would grab two thoughts of thankfulness. One to share and one to throw in for next year. Each person would share their thankful thought for that year and we would get to hear someones thankful thought from the year prior that was or wasn’t there! I have this black box that I store all the Penny for your thanksgiving day thoughts in and after the last person drops their thought and penny inside the box it stays shut until the following year’s Thanksgiving Saturday! It is so RAD!! I am excited thinking about it while I type.
My parents were able to see the genuine love of God through my friends at Church and my mom repented of her sins and trusted in Jesus in 2008 and said that Happy Thanksgiving Saturday played a role in her seeing God!! I am really excited just remembering.
This year is the first year in 4 years that I will not be able to host it but this tradition I started has buried it’s head in the hearts of all those that came. Happy Thanksgiving Saturday has definitely Not seen its last day!
Without the bird and the chatter here are your “Penny for your Thanksgiving Day thoughts” from 2009.
Dana Cordell: I am grateful that Mercy is healthy-that my boys are growing and serving me and our family so well. I am also thankful for my hubby (my best friend) Jesus has been so good to us.
Jadon Cordell: My family.
Joy Hughes: Grace that doesn’t run out.
Elijah Cordell: I am glad I have a family.
Andy Carlson: I am thankful for God’s patience with me as well as His perseverance in insuring His will to be done and the family of believers.
Andrew Joyner: For me to be able to go to sleep!
Rich Hughes (Joy’s Dad): For God’s unfailing faithfulness toward me and my family. He never fails to meet every need no matter how small.
Cathi Taylor: Thankful that God’s spirit is enabling me to want to know him better!
Joy’s Mom: His everpresence.
Aimee Struchen: God’s continuous protection over me and my children & having the heart knowledge that God hears, sees and acts.
Larry Cook (my dad): Jesus, wife, children and life.
Alicia Christie: Thankful for the friends that God has blessed her with and that I am Learning to be content in all circumstances.
Paige Struchen: I am thankful for God.
Robin Long (my mom): I am thankful for so many things. This paper is too small for my list.
Mike Neff: Moving to Raleigh with my son, Luke, and going to a great church.
Mercy Cordell: Ice Cream, shoes, baby dolls.
Sean Cordell: Thankful for my family, our church and Jesus’ patience with and forgiveness for my sins.
Jill: I am thankful for my friends I have made in this room and the love that they show me.
Bradley Joyner: I am thankful for everyone coming and bringing food to eat!
Panama (Alex) Batista: I am thankful for the mercy and grace that the Lord displays through his family. Also I am thankful for knowing real and true beauty which is my treasure Jesus Christ.
Kristin (me): Thankful for the promise that Jesus is coming to make all things new-me- I need much help and He has helped me.
I thought o f”Happy Thanksgiving Saturday” this past Saturday. It made me really miss you!