Social media is packed this week with people’s posts of gratitude.  Everyone seems to be more reflective around Thanksgiving, and the holidays in general.  I had more time than usual this Thanksgiving to reflect on things, thanks to pneumonia and some crazy medication side effects.  Not having the traditional dinner with family and friends stinks.  Whether you’re the black sheep of the family or fit right in like you’re all the Waltons, there’s still that longing when you are missing out.  Before I threw myself a full blown pity party, the Lord brought to my mind memories of past Thanksgivings, as well as slapped me with bold reminders of just how blessed I am.

Oddly enough, it seems that some of my most vivid Thanksgiving memories involve hospitals. Like the year my Dad had a stroke and was hospitalized during the holiday.  I carefully packed him a plate to take to the hospital to make sure he didn’t have to suffer through an awful meal of mystery meat up in his room. Imagine my surprise when I found him eating steak that the hospital volunteers had so thoughtfully delivered to everyone on his floor. Instead of being thankful, I was so upset and apologetic to him for not getting his turkey up to him sooner.  After all it’s not a proper Thanksgiving without turkey, right?  As I’ve said before, my sister has severe cerebral palsy, and I cannot remember how many Thanksgivings we spent up in the hospital with her.  One year as a teen, my perfectionistic self was bound and determined that we would still have a proper celebration, complete with my Mom’s fine china.  Yes, I literally hauled a basket full of china and silverware to the hospital.  I never claimed to be normal.  I remember almost being in tears when I realized I’d forgotten the glasses, and we were relegated to Styrofoam cups.  I could write paragraph after paragraph of similar Thanksgivings where I was so wrapped up on what I thought needed to be done in order for the day to be celebrated, I completely and utterly missed.the.point.

My being blinded by perfectionism, traditions and standards, kept me from just enjoying the moments.  Were they always in the best of circumstances?  Of course not.  No one spending Thanksgiving in a hospital is in good circumstances.  My Dad would always say the most important thing to him was that we were all together.  He was right, and it didn’t matter a hill of beans if we had fine china or paper plates, or really even if we ate anything at all.  I think it took me becoming a mother for it to finally click how little the other stuff matters.  One year when my oldest daughter was a baby, we spent Thanksgiving with my Mom in the hospital, and hit McDonalds’ drive thru on the way home.  I well remember it hitting me that day what my Dad had said about just being together.

Today my mind went to those who are not together.  For whatever reason, they are spending this day in a way they would never have chosen.  I thought of a dear friend who is spending her first Thanksgiving as a single mother.  Another who is facing the first anniversary of her baby’s death.  A family member who just found out he has cancer.  Circumstances far beyond their control, that no amount of fine china and dressing up can change.  I realized that even when we may feel alone, we still have Jesus.  He is enough.  When I temporarily forget my blessings and wallow in self-pity, He is enough.

And honestly, it’s just a day.  Yes, it’s a very special day, and I’m not trying to take anything away from it, but realistically, it’s a date on the calendar.  When/where/how Thanksgiving is celebrated, does not have to be decided by the last Thursday in November.  Turkey does not even have to be consumed.   I know I’ve spent far too much energy in my life on what I could control, not realizing Jesus was enough.  The fact is, He knew me and all my craziness before I ever took a breath, and He still would have gone to the cross for me if I was the only one on earth.  That right there is worth shouting about!  I’m so very thankful for His saving grace in my life.  Oh, the times I’ve royally messed things up, only to have Him grant me abundant mercy and grace to get back on track!  I read a quote once that said, “If nothing goes my way today, God is still my Father, and I am still His child.”  He is enough.