Millions of Americans will be getting together for a holiday of Thanksgiving. There will be piles of turkey, dinner rolls, stuffing and dressing, casseroles, and gravy. Hot brown and plenty of it!!! Don’t forget the pies!!! This will be followed by a tryptophan induced nap… zzz zzz zzz… instead of watching the Bears and Lions oh my…
Let’s not kid ourselves. We have all heard the family holiday stories. The time we spent with cousin Eddie (little National Lampoon’s Vacation reference). Remember when so and so did that… Don’t forget the crazy aunt. Heaven forbid, the drama and exhaustion of “The Family Argument“!
Photo: Abby Arnold
Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.
God’s word has an interesting observation in the verse above. For starters the Hebrew word for “better” is “towb“. The word can also be translated as good or beautiful. This is the same word God used in the beginning after each day of creation, “towb” or “good. “And God saw that it was good.”
…a dry morsel… Another translation could be “a parched and ruined fragment“.
…with strife. This is the Hebrew word “rib” (pronounced reeb). It is also translated as dispute or controversy. Every thing is a contest.
It is a beautiful thing to eat a dry, expired cracker in quiet security. Some personalities can ruin a great spread of a meal and a gathering.
Proverbs 15:17 Better is a portion of vegetables where there is love, than a fattened ox served with hatred.
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Leviticus 7:12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the thanksgiving sacrifice unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and loaves of fine flour well mixed with oil.
This is the first time the word “thanksgiving” is used in the Bible. “Thanksgiving” is mentioned before “thanks”. Thanksgiving is the Hebrew word todah. The issue is an attitude of the heart. Be thankful for what you have and share it with others. Your grateful attitude may change another’s heart.
Ultimately, Thanksgiving is not about the food. The holiday is about relationships. Have your heart in a good place. Be thankful for your family and friends!
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
Revelation 7:12 “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
The Kingdom of Heaven is a Family first, and then a Family Glory Business with an open-door policy allowing anyone in who agrees to put on proper shoes (Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.) and shirt (Matthew 22:11-12 But when the king came in to see the wedding guests, he saw a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But he had nothing to say.) to come and dine at the Father’s table where there is much laughter, joy, peace, healing, and life.
Please take the time to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Please take the time to give gratitude to our active duty military personnel who protect our freedom. Enjoy time with your family and friends during this Memorial Day Holiday weekend.
