KENNEDY COLUMN: Take the time to give thanks

By Carolyn Kennedy, Sauk Praiire Eagle columnist

In preparation for Thanksgiving, take a look at your refrigerator. Not in it, on it.

If you’re like me, the door of your fridge reflects a rich, busy life. Even before I open the door, it tells me that there are many reasons to give thanks.

My door has a picture of my son at Vacation Bible School and another holding a baseball.

There are pictures of my nephew about to graduate from high school and my future stepdaughter and her beau at a prom.

There’s the school lunch menu, the flyers for upcoming events and a slip of paper with concert dates from this summer. 

Last year for Mother’s Day my son wrote “mother” in Chinese characters. That’s on the fridge. Also the password for our household’s wireless network and drawings by the household artist.

Then there are the magnets. Some are animals that my son got when he was little. Some were gifts. Some are from small businesses and Sauk City Utilities. 

My refrigerator door makes me feel grateful. I’m grateful for my handsome son. I’m proud of the poised young adults. The school lunch menu reminds me that my family members have access to a great education, and that they will not go hungry. 

The picture of my son at Bible school tells me that we live in a place where we can peacefully worship a great God and that others have the same freedom.

The notices for activities — school programs, concerts and plays from weeks ago, party reminders — tell me that my life is about more than subsistence, barely staying alive from day to day. 

Instead, I have the chance to enrich my mind and to share that with my son. The wireless Internet lets me keep in touch with family and world events. I have friends. I have the resources to be well-informed.

The animal magnets tell me that God has created an intricate, ecologically diverse world and has called on us to care for it. The magnets from small businesses tell me that I am able to contact good people who can offer me necessary services. The utility magnet inspires me to thank God for warmth and for light. 

Remember drawing turkeys in kindergarten? We traced our hands on a piece of paper and decorated it with feathers and bright colors. The thumb was the head.

Take a moment and do that again. For each finger/feather plume, write a reason to be grateful. Then put it on the refrigerator and thank God. Happy Thanksgiving.

Don’t forget the ecumenical Thanksgiving service at 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Prairie du Sac. The offering of food and money will go to the food pantry.

 

— Carolyn Kennedy is the pastor of the Mazomanie United Church of Christ and can be reached at (608) 220-6987 or by e-mail at mazoucc@charterinternet.com