My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. To me, this holiday makes the most sense in terms of worthiness of being celebrated. It is the healthiest holiday, both psychologically and physically. On thanksgiving, we're not talking about love when we don't yet know what love really is. We're not stuffing ourselves full of cheap candy or throwing our hands out expecting gifts from a mythical figure. On thanksgiving, families get together and have a wonderful meal together. In addition, our thoughts are filled with being thankful for the things we have been blessed with. Even a recluse like me can't help but feel a bit comforted by others' company during this time. I think that this is also the holiday which brings me the most happiness. This isn't a superficial happiness that makes me laugh out loud (lol), but a deeper happiness that causes a few tears (hot manly ones, mind you) to well up inside. On this day, I am truly thankful firstly for the people around me who care for me. Next, I am thankful for the things that God has given me. Finally, I am thankful for the Lord Jesus who gave His own life to redeem me and to make me a son of God. It is also during this time that I feel a little shameful for taking so many things for granted so much of the time. Especially as I recall all the things I have which I don't necessarily deserve (what exactly are things that I do deserve), I thank the Lord that He is so patient with me whenever I think that I deserve something. It is a good, humbling experience.
This thanksgiving, I went to Austin and visited my brother. We hung out most of the time, and went to a family's house to have dinner with them. Praise the Lord for the saints who love the church and care for people. They've melted a bit of the ice that has formed around my heart.
Thanksgiving is a holiday that I am not ashamed to celebrate; in fact, it is one that I would like to celebrate every year.
Written on November 26, 2011