WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR? by Chaplain Janet Marston

[Chaplain Janet Marston-McGregor]

November 17, 2010

by Rev. Dr. Janet Marston

Certified Christian Chaplain

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

Next week is Thanksgiving here in the USA. Most of us look forward to family gatherings, lots of food, from turkey to pumpkin pie, and maybe watch football games on the television. And, the day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year.

What is your family tradition? What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

For me, it is more than that. First, let me tell you a brief summary of how I grew up. Throughout my life, I have endeared struggles that would make movies and soap operas look like cartoons. I have been close to death, nearly murdered, had severe health issues, multiple surgeries, suffered physical and emotional abuse, lost 3 babies, and, when I became a mother, had times when I often wondered how I would be able to buy milk for my children.

Growing up as a child in Texas, we raised our own food - lived in an old frame house that my Uncle built with no bathroom (until my Dad put one in on the back porch) - we didn't have color television for many years, and only one, and no remote control - and we were not allowed to watch it unti after all of our chores were done - There were many times when we didn't have meat on the table. When you have to dig in the dirt for your own potatoes and have to pull your own corn, you learn to appreciate them, believe me. And, in my opinion, it tastes much better. Our Thanksgiving meal consisted of homemade chicken and southern dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, cornbread (or biscuits) and usually a pecan pie and maybe an apple pie. I can only remember maybe 1 or 2 times we had turkey, when it was given to us. I will never forget the first time I saw my mama and Gramma fixing a turkey - I said "where did you get that giant chicken?"

My Gramma and Mother taught me to sew and do needlework, and how to can and prepare food out of almost nothing. They either made my clothes, or I received hand me downs from family and friends. There were very few times I remember receiving new clothes from a "real" store. We did not have a dishwasher machine or an air conditioning unit until I was in Junior High School. I thought we were rich! Before that, we used box fans and an old broken down water cooler that someone gave us and my Daddy fixed. It sat in our living room window. In the summertime, when it was extremely hot, I would sleep in the living room with my brothers, so it wouldn't be so hot. I remember making my own curtains for my first home out of bed sheets. And, my gramma made me a quilt. I also remember my mother making handmade baby blankets for each of my boys when they were born. Now, I make blankets for others.

Most people would consider that awful - being poor - "oh, poor Janet, she really had it rough" - well, maybe I did. But I do not regret my upbringing. When you don't have much, you don't need much. And, what you do have, you appreciate - and cherish - and you are very thankful. I learned the value of things that are more important than material possession - God and family. Without God, everything is lost. Without God, we have nothing. Without God, we ARE nothing.

You can't put a price tag on reading the bible and praying with your Gramma or making your own homemade bread and biscuits or making handmade blankets and clothing and giving them to people you love. You can't put a price tag on holding your newborn baby in your arms for the first time and thanking God for that precious little blessing - or for taking a hike in God's beautiful mountains and forests and holding hands with someone you love.

THESE things are precious - a true blessing. And, that is what I am thankful for. I am thankful that, despite my many tragedies and troubles in life, losing 3 babies, I have my precious three sons, my family, my friends, and a good job. I currently live a very modest small frame house that has a dishwasher and air conditioning - and I PRAISE GOD FOR THAT - but most of all, I have my LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST - who will always be here for me and help me through the darkest times and will celebrate with me through the best of times. I am thankful that my Lord saved me from my sins and I will live with Him in Heaven forever. I am thankful for being called to minister to others and to be a blessing. I am truly blessed in my heart and soul.

THANK YOU, MY LORD, AND MY GOD, FOR BLESSING ME SO I CAN BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS. AMEN.

Colossians 3:15 (New International Version)

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.