Happy yes-we’re-still-eating-Thanksgiving—leftovers Saturday, friends!
But we’ll probably finish them off today.
Here’s a family Thanksgiving pro tip: Live close to your kids.
Benefits:
1. Everyone can bring food without worrying about how it travels.
2. While some leftover-sharing is encouraged, everyone takes home what’s left of what they brought. You’re not left with piles of food.
3. They clean up their own dishes at home.
4. The menu is … wait for it … whatever is brought. I tell people, “If it’s important for you, you should bring it.”
5. When people have had enough food, fun, football, and family, they can go home. No issues with where people are going to sleep.
6. And anyone who has multiple family gatherings in that day can make them all.
Yes, these are all partial reasons why we moved to Amarillo in 2023. And yes, I threatened to disinherit any of them who move away (just kidding about that).
There is no smooth segue into my hymn text for today, so …
“Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war …”
I’ve been in the “Spiritual Conflict” section of my hymnal for the past few days (and will be for most of next week).
Throughout all of it, I want to continually remind us of that adjective: spiritual.
“Soldiers” of Jesus do not engage in empire building, do not turn opponents into enemies to be eradicated, do not conflate patriotism with the Kingdom of God, do not equate power and position with God’s favor.
These words grabbed my attention this morning:
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“Onward, then, ye people, join our happy throng …”
Happy?
Could it be that our “march” is more effective as celebration than protest?
Could it be that proclaiming the glory of Christ and demonstrating our commitment to living in the way of Jesus—and inviting those watching to join us—is a better “kingdom” strategy than using “Christian values” as a tool for having things our way?
Could it be that the greatest spiritual conflict we face is our battle against our own ambitions?
We set aside Thursday as a day of giving thanks.
Is God any less worthy of our thanksgiving on the other 364 days of the year?
Be amazing today, my friend.
