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Robin remembers one Thanksgiving years ago when she and her children
were living in a small motel room. It was the worst of times for her
and the children. Her husband deserted them; her own family lived in
another state. Without transportation it was impossible to go home to
her parents. They were stuck in a cheap, rundown motel, on the
outskirts of town.
On Thanksgiving Day her children made a list of all the things they were thankful for, which both surprised and shocked Robin. Her son was thankful for his friends at school. The younger son was thankful for his mother's love. He repeatedly asked if she was going to leave them, like their dad. Robin told them both that she was not going to leave them.
Their meal consisted of cold beans from a can and some day old bread. That was all they had to eat that Thanksgiving.
What is truly amazing is that years later, her sons both married with families of their own have such a vivid recollection of that day. In the leanest of times they bonded together as a family. Years later they give thanks to God for the blessing of family. That was the Thanksgiving they most remember.
Jesus had just fed a crowd numbering over 5,000 people. It was another of Jesus' signs. Not only were the people impressed by what they experienced but they searched for Jesus because they wanted more food. Jesus encouraged them to strive for food that does not perish. The people remained confused. "This is the work of God," Jesus told them, "that you believe in him whom he has sent."
As we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends may we also strive for "for the food that endures for eternal life." Our lesson concludes with one of Jesus' "I am" statements found throughout John's gospel, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
Tim S.
On Thanksgiving Day her children made a list of all the things they were thankful for, which both surprised and shocked Robin. Her son was thankful for his friends at school. The younger son was thankful for his mother's love. He repeatedly asked if she was going to leave them, like their dad. Robin told them both that she was not going to leave them.
Their meal consisted of cold beans from a can and some day old bread. That was all they had to eat that Thanksgiving.
What is truly amazing is that years later, her sons both married with families of their own have such a vivid recollection of that day. In the leanest of times they bonded together as a family. Years later they give thanks to God for the blessing of family. That was the Thanksgiving they most remember.
Jesus had just fed a crowd numbering over 5,000 people. It was another of Jesus' signs. Not only were the people impressed by what they experienced but they searched for Jesus because they wanted more food. Jesus encouraged them to strive for food that does not perish. The people remained confused. "This is the work of God," Jesus told them, "that you believe in him whom he has sent."
As we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends may we also strive for "for the food that endures for eternal life." Our lesson concludes with one of Jesus' "I am" statements found throughout John's gospel, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
Tim S.
