Staying Together → Alice V. Walters

For years early in November, I’ve asked people whether they were cooking (hosting) or traveling for Thanksgiving. I probably won’t do that this year.

This year has brought so many changes to so many people. But this year especially, I hear Mama’s voice asking…

“Do you have somewhere to go for Thanksgiving?”

Thanksgiving was a sad and lonely holiday for us when we first moved north. Just the five of us around the table, no cousins or grandparents, no decadent desserts waiting in the kitchen. Just another meal.

And then something began to change. We found a church home and began making friends. The next Thanksgiving, and several thereafter, we were invited and welcomed into the homes of various friends.

It didn’t take long for Mama to literally turn the tables. Soon, she was inviting the “sad and lonely” to our house for Thanksgiving. We jokingly told Mama she was taking in strays.

And when my sister, Nancy, and I had our own homes, we began doing the same. Our brother, Buddy, didn’t hesitate to drag people to our homes if they didn’t have a place to be.

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.
Romans 14: 1 MSG

Holidays and quarantine seem on opposite ends of the spectrum, don’t they, Dear Reader? Our extended families aren’t gathering for Thanksgiving this year. It makes me sad, until I remember that our daughter, Mary, is really great at welcoming others. I’m betting that our nuclear family gathering at her home this year will include at least one or two of her friends without families.

One of my great big prayers for our nation is that even in the isolation of pandemic we will still seek ways to connect with each other. We’ve had to get creative in finding new ways to connect, haven’t we?

And here’s the reason we will continue going out of our way to reach out to other people: it’s only as we choose to stay together that our nation will rise triumphant from the challenges we’ve faced this year.

Dearest Reader, we are a nation of warriors and conquerors. Since our birth we have been besieged and besmirched, but we’ve never been beaten! America is still “One Nation Under God”.

This year I’m grateful for many things. Most of all, I’m grateful to be reminded that abundant hope and blessings are in staying together, no matter how many are gathered.