Thanks for Nothing

Over the swollen belly bottom of my stuffed stomach, I pass a few thoughts along from the bustling Thanksgiving Day... of two days ago. I would say the timing's a bit off, but that's never the case with God.

Guess how Thanksgiving day started for me? With nothing.

I don't mean there was no baking or prepping to have everything ready for our guests. I mean, before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade got switched on, there was no sound in the house, except for the movements of my family; living room to kitchen, to bathroom, to garage, we went about our little jobs of relaxing and gearing up for the bundle of guests about to roll through our front door.

This was followed by the clammer of voices, the scoop of spoons and clinking of plates and the soothing background of Christmas music humming out of the CD player. 

This was later followed, again, by nothing. The dishes were loaded, the leftovers packed and given away- much to my dad's disdain!- and the tree set and lit. A movie played quietly to the further movements of my family as we rested, joked, and did nothing.

It was a sweet silence that didn't need words because it spoke to the contentment we had just being in each other's presence. So often, we focus on the concept of 'more' = 'happy'; the more people, the more food, the more decorations, or the more games. But through the plentiful meal and the pleasant conversation, it's the quiet moments that are sticking with me.

There's my thankfulness at its best this year. Reminding myself to be thankful even in the most mundane of moments.

Up the Porch Steps

'There's no place like home for the holidays... 

if you want to be happy in a million ways... 

for the pleasure that you bring when you make that doorbell ring... 

no trip could be too far.'

Written by Al Stillman, as a 1954 single for Perry Como, 'Home for the Holidays' is an easy sing with a lively tune. As history continues to prove, it's the simple things that speak to us the most. I think this song is one of them.

Home.

It's the word that strikes you right in the heart when the holidays roll around. It's a word we chase after, cling to, or steak our pride on. Holidays are food, they're decorations, and they're positive messages to the values of faith, family, and friends. Yet, there's this central picture we all carry in our minds... a house, warmly lit from within, where all these things are gathered and treasured.

Why are homes so sacred, even if only to the mind? Because they are something you fight for, and a place where you don't fight alone. The word 'home' embodies a group of people, whom you trust, love, and would die for. When someone goes home for the holidays, they're not driving to the bricks and wood holding a cement foundation together. They're driving to the memories they've built with those people.

By memories, I mean the good and the bad. 

The good times people are living right now are something special to behold. So are the the hard times they're trying to get through. When you stand in front of your home, gazing over its windows and siding, how many of those pass through your mind? 

Some people will smile while gazing at their home this holiday season... others will cry. Regardless, the holidays will come, they will go, and you will continue to move forward. And then you'll realize that you're still here and so are your loved ones. Despite the hardships, and more so because of the happiness.

 Let that fill you with a warmth- inside and out of your home- that's not limited to the holidays.

'Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,

    and for their children it will be a refuge.'

~Proverbs 14:26~