A Thanksgiving Message: Rachel Devine
It’s almost Thanksgiving, and most people are looking forward to gathering around family for a meal and fellowship. Being grateful for our family is a gift. Treasure the people you will spend time with this Thanksgiving.
On the other hand, they have had a falling out with a relative or two and are not looking forward to the festivities. There are a lot of folks who are left out in the cold, not invited, or have no place to go because of some kind of conflict in the family circle. It can be a tough time of year for some of us struggling with this. Furthermore, the innocent bystanders are also in conflict when a family member is not invited into the fold. They have to endure the absence of the person that is not invited, and that could put a strain on the gathering as well.
There are no easy answers that come to mind, except forgiveness. Forgiveness is at the forefront of any conflict and is more for the person that offers it rather than the one who receives it. Forgiveness is an act of self-love, liberating one from the resentments that hold them hostage. Forgiveness is part of our Christian faith. Jesus warns us in the following Bible verse:
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
It’s almost Thanksgiving, and most people are looking forward to gathering around family for a meal and fellowship. Being grateful for our family is a gift. Treasure the people you will spend time with this Thanksgiving.
On the other hand, some people have had a falling out with a relative or two and are not looking forward to the festivities. There are a lot of folks who are left out in the cold, not invited, or have no place to go because of some kind of conflict in the family circle. It can be a tough time of year for some of us struggling with this. Furthermore, the innocent bystanders are also in conflict when a family member is not invited into the fold. They have to endure the absence of the person that is not invited, and that could put a strain on the gathering as well.
There are no easy answers that come to mind, except forgiveness. Forgiveness is at the forefront of any conflict and is more for the person that offers it rather than the one who receives it. Forgiveness is an act of self-love, liberating one from the resentments that hold them hostage. Forgiveness is part of our Christian faith. Jesus warns us in the following Bible verse:
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
This Thanksgiving, look into your heart and see if forgiveness can open up a time for thankfulness for family and friends. Life is too short to hold grudges and keep you stuck in a place of resentment. Remember, resentment is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die. The choice on how to proceed this Thanksgiving, of course, is yours.
This short story is priceless on forgiveness:
The Last Letter
In the small town of Eldridge, where everyone knew everyone else's business, lived two neighbors, George and Tom. Their feud was the stuff of local legend, stemming from a dispute over a property line more than thirty years ago. It had escalated to the point where neither spoke to the other, and their families followed suit.
George, a widower with a heart now hardened by time and bitterness, spent his last days in a quiet, resentful solitude. Tom, on the other hand, had attempted reconciliation over the years, but George's pride was a fortress too high to breach.
One chilly autumn day, George found himself reflecting on his life, the emptiness in his heart echoing louder than the silence between him and Tom. He realized that his stubbornness had cost him not just a friend but a part of his life's joy. With his health failing, George knew time was not on his side. He penned a letter. It wasn't long or eloquent, but it was sincere:
"Tom,
I've spent too many years hating you. I'm tired. I hope you can forgive an old fool for his pride. Maybe we can share a coffee one last time. George."
With a trembling hand, he sealed the letter and placed it on Tom's doorstep at dusk, unsure if it would change anything but feeling a weight lift from his chest.
The next morning, Tom found the letter. His heart ached with the years lost to anger. He walked over to George's house, letter in hand, and knocked. There was no answer, but the door was slightly ajar. He entered to find George asleep in his armchair, a peaceful expression on his face, the kind you see on someone who has finally laid down a heavy burden.
Tom sat beside him, tears streaming down his face, not just for the lost years, but for the forgiveness that had come too late. He held George's hand, cold but now unclenched, and whispered, "I forgive you, my friend. I wish we had more time."
From that day, Tom made it a point to share stories of George with anyone who would listen, not of their feud, but of the man who, in his final act, sought peace. The story of George's letter became a lesson in the town, a reminder of the power and necessity of forgiveness, even if it comes at the last moment.
End of story.
Wishing all of you a very blessed Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, love, and family.
My new book, Tales of Hope, Love and Discovery: A Collection of Short Stories of Enlightenment on Amazon now. There is a chapter called, A Thanksgiving Lesson, that I am sure you will enjoy.
