Deuteronomy 8

Lets just preface this story with how excited I was for Thanksgiving this year. I could hardly wait. I had purchased a turkey (which is not so easy to find here) and my roommate and I had invited 14 people, consisting mostly of our closest Chinese friends. I could not wait to have everyone to our home to eat a wonderful meal and share about Him whom we are most thankful for. Well, the day did not go as I had planned.

The night before I had made 4 pies. I had a really long day at work and my cold was giving me trouble but I was sooooo happy. I love to bake and I could hardly wait for the next day to come. It did and I woke up very happy. I ran to the store across town to pick up a few items. While I was in the store I began to feel nauseous. I kept telling myself it was not big deal. In the taxi on the way home I was beginning to feel very sick. (I do get car sick in taxis sometimes and I thought that maybe this was the case.) I ask my taxi driver to drive slow and I hung my head out the window. I made it home but no sooner than I ran into my bathroom, it all began. I had the stomach flu. Boy was this not fun. My roommate was teaching so I knew I had no choice but to get the turkey in the oven. I managed to make the stuffing and prepare the turkey before I called my roommate and said that I would be unable to celebrate together with everyone.

A friend came over to help my roommate get everything on the table. It sounded as if everyone had a great time. I could hear the laughter in my room. I was able to eat the leftovers the day after. I was thankful for this as even the smell of the turkey the day before did not settle well with me.

Isn't it great that Thanksgiving is not really just one day. We are to give thanks in all circumstances. I have a friend who always reads Deuternomy 8 with her family on Thanksgiving. If you have not read it in awhile, you should. As the Israelites were about to enter the promise land they were told to remember how the Father had provided for them. They had just been in the desert for 40 years (I myself would want to forget that) and yet He had provided for them. They had clothes, they had food...all their needs were provided for them. They were also challenged that after they had experienced the promise land and eaten, not to forget.

I may not have had a chance to share with everyone what I am thankful for on Thanksgiving Day but I do have many things I am thankful for. Here are a few...

1) My Job - I love living and working in China. Even though setting up this new culture center has been very tiring at times, I really enjoy it. I can't wait to see how He is going to use it in the future.

2) My Colleagues - I am so thankful for all the people I work with. It is such a joy to serve together with them.

3) My Family and Friends - I am so thankful for all of you. I love the support that I have from family and friends both here and in the US. You are such a blessing to me.

4) My Home - this includes my roommate Molly and my dog Boaz. I love them both. It is so wonderful to come home and have them here to greet me.

5) Father - This may be the last on the list but that is only because He is included in all other areas I am thankful for. I am tearing up as I write this because He is so good. I am thankful for His presence in my life. Without Him, who would we be thankful to? He sure does love to bless His children!

I don't want to forget. I want to remember all the ways in which He has provided for me. I think I too, will be reading Deutoromy 8 every year as part of my Thanksgiving tradition.