We all know that thanksgiving is tomorrow and we are all super excited to be with our families and share what we are thankful for. This year I am thankful for a million things far more than I could list for you now. However, I will share one thing that I am thankful for….
Here in Nicaragua they celebrate thanksgiving diferently. I was talking with my friend Jimmy a week ago while we were fishing in Lake Nicaragua. Through a lot of broken Spanglish I arrived at the conclusion that we were having thanksgiving on Thursday with all the kids. The meal was a little different though. We would have mashed potatoes and corn… the usual. Also, we would be eating Goat. I was a little shocked but excited at the opportunity to eat something a little different. I hared all this information with our teams and we were all pretty excited about the whole thing.
Yesterday I found out that things were not quite as they seem. I was speaking with a man named Robert. He speaks fluent Spanish and helped paint a clearer picture for me. He informed me that Thursday was actually a day of prayer and fasting for an upcoming conference in Nicaragua. At first everything in me was kicking and screaming… it lasted a solid ten seconds before I had a great realization. I have comitted myself to a year fo abandonment… letting go of expectation and my rights and entitlements. I don`t deserve or need a thanksgiving meal. Rather God has been gracious enough to allow me the oportunity to sacrafice food on the day that it is the hardest. I am certain that God has asked us to chose Him over this meal… not that eating thanksgiving dinner is a bad thing in any way.(it is not) Thanksgiving is amazing and represents such a wonderful time to be with family and meditate on the things that are good in our lives. I beieve that experience will be magnified all the more for us in Nicaragua! We will not have a meal that fills my stomach, but we will have fellowship with our new family. We are fortunate to have the oportunity to draw closer to God our creator and give Him thanks… not for the food but for everything that He provides for us. Which the stretch of his faithfulness and giving fills my heart with t hanks.
For what it is worth I believe that the Father gives with a thankful heart!!!
Biblical Support
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”Then his disciples said to each other, Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!! I pray God blesses you more than you can stand!
