You know the question – and the fun answer. Question: “What day is Thanksgiving this year?” Answer: “Thursday.” I have been telling people that we will be eating at Cracker Barrel this year – but the truth is, it might be McDonald’s or Chick Filet! Our primary goal will be to keep our trot going, as opposed to getting my gut overloaded.
You see, today we are completing the second leg of our 3-day drive to Fort Meyers, FL for my brother’s wedding. We hit the road yesterday morning at 4:10 a.m. and made it to Marietta, GS by 4:00 p.m. (tough traffic through Chattanooga). Today’s goal is Gainsbourg, FL – while listening to the Lion’s ‘exciting’ game on the radio. We expect to be at Fort Meyers by early afternoon on Friday. This will be in plenty of time to see family and enjoy the wedding Saturday afternoon … after watching a U of M victory (hopefully – I have packed shirts with logos from our Lions, Wolverines and Red Wings … and, of course, Tigers – no matter who plays short next year).
So, while most of you know of the Turkey Trot that circles the streets of Detroit prior to a parade and a football game, mine is one that starts with me sitting behind the steering wheel for 1,350 miles before a football game and a ‘beach parade’ that culminates with a Santa replacement named Mike and Jan. Detroit’s parade – 34 degrees with clouds. Fort Meyers prediction – 74 degrees and sunny. I don’t know about you, but I think it is well worth the trot!
Three psalms come to mind. One looks back. One looks forward. One speaks to the future. I pray they all speak to you, and that they add an extra measure of the grace of Jesus to your Thanksgiving celebration.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say (that’s us) so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men! For he satisfied the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” (Psalm 107.1-9)
“When the righteous (that’s us, too) cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers her/him out of them all.” (Psalm 34.17-19)
“I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your (no explanation needed) keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalm 121.1-8)
Whether you are in Detroit today, or in Florida, or anywhere in between … whether you are trotting the streets before America’s Parade or one of the 1,500 plus miles of I-75, or from the oven to the dining room table … whether you are bride or groom, guest or host, or none of the above … these words are for you: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit … for he is good, his steadfast love endures forever … Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers YOU out of them all … The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Happy Thanksgiving, my friends … wherever you find yourself trotting today