I am thankful I never had to go out and shoot our Thanksgiving turkey. Though if you haven’t already thawed the bird, you’re much more likely to have turkey tomorrow if you go hunting.
For 2021, an old-fashioned, traditional Thanksgiving is what most of us yearn for. We had an interesting, if not desirable one last year. Most of us didn’t get together at all or did so through Zoom. I hear the travel for this year is back to pre-pandemic levels.
Yet, I also know some friends who are still dealing with COVID in their families. And there are some of us who will be missing loved ones at the dinner table. In my family, I can think of a couple we will be mourning over this year.
Through it all, my prayer for you is that no matter the situation, you will remember something to be thankful for. It’s okay to mourn the losses. But also remember the blessings. They are out there. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Today is Harpo Marx’s birthday. He was born on November 23, 1888. He’s the Marx brother who never spoke during their films. So it’s quite a delight for me to have a quote for him about marrying a good person.
By Ralph F. Stitt – This image is available from the United States Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cph.3c26207. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1629215
“Harpo, she’s a lovely person. She deserves a good husband. Marry her before she finds one.”
Harpo Marx
On this week of Thanksgiving, I am thankful I married a good person. For one, she has made me a better person. Not only that, she is a born leader and someone with a caring heart. Plus, she is the closest thing I’ve seen to a superwoman balanced with a heart for God and people.
Therefore, like Harpo Marx, I am glad I married her before she found a good husband. You may want to pity her. The poor woman gets annoyed when I run around the house in a curly, blonde wig and only communicate with a bicycle horn. That’s what happens when you let a former vaudevillian influence you.
If we learn something valuable, but it doesn’t lead to changes in behavior or tactics, have we really learned it? We can learn interesting facts and trivia. But if the only benefit is that it helps us win trivia games, is it true learning?
True learning goes from the head to the heart. It helps us reconsider previous beliefs. It opens our eyes to new possibilities. True learning takes the humility to reconsider if our previous beliefs still serve us well.
Otherwise, if learning something confirms our previous biases, is it really helpful? It can be threatening to learn something new that changes our outlook and actions. But it can be transforming and effective as well.
A heart of gratitude is the password to so many good things. It takes us from entitlement to contentment. It changes “why me?” to “why not me?” It turns the focus from what we do not have to what we do have.
On this Sunday morning, I am reminded this is the best way to approach prayer and worship. The Message version of Psalm 100 helped me see this in a new light this day.
Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him.
“Thank you” is the password to so many good things. My coworkers probably think I say it too often. My emails and speech are filled with please and thank you. But I am fine with being known as the guy who is too polite. It’s much better than being known as the guy with the rude ‘tude!
Therefore, when we go to prayer with a thankful heart, it makes us reconsider how much I have already been blessed. Just the fact we woke up to a new day is reason enough for gratitude. It helps us reconsider the many things we take for granted.
Nobody likes to see someone coming every time with a list of grievances, least of all God. It’s true that we can be honest and take our requests, our problem, and yes, our tragedies to him. But if that is the only time we pray, that would get pretty old.
Thanksgiving is coming. Let’s remember to give thanks today and every day. It’s a password to greater things. It’s a reminder we already have so many great things right under our noses.
Last night, I got to see a very good man and woman honored. They are a couple of great integrity. Rolland Daniels is a man whom I have seen in various situations. Firstly, I have seen him has my pastor. Secondly he was my wife’s boss, and as someone who remained the same through good and challenging times. Thirdly, I’ve even seen him as a client when my company published his book.
In addition, I’ve seen his wife, Ellen in action as a pastor’s wife, classmate, and friend.
Through it all, I’ve seen their integrity shine through. Last night, we held an event as Rolland retires from ministry as a pastor. But like many have said about him, he by no means is retiring from ministry.
He writes it as a tribute to the values his father passed down to him. They are values I’ve seen him display as well. As a result, it was good to see a man and his wife honored for decades of faithful ministry. It has also been so good to see a faithful man being honored for these values.
Powerful, Kind Words
The first conversation I remember having with Rolland was at the Anderson University Kardatzke Wellness Center. It was before my wife or I worked with him. I considered him an acquaintance. We were both in the weight room when he spotted me.
He walked towards me. With a warm smile he said, “Hey, Kev! How’s G?”
“G” is short for my son’s name. I told him how he was doing well in football, and about to finish up high school I mentioned he was considering Anderson University for college.
He replied, “Man, Kev. You must be proud! That boy is going places. God has his hand on him. I hope you know that!”
I thanked him and we went on with our workouts. That touched me. Did he know my family that well? And he was speaking life and affirmation about my son! He didn’t have to do that. But it made my day. And you can bet I let my son know!
Boss Man
Later, he became my church’s executive pastor. My wife was the children’s pastor and she reported to him. We learned he was just as effective and genuine as a boss compared to behind a pulpit. We were so impressed because those are two very different sets of skills.
He was very supportive of us when my daughter was diagnosed with arthritis. He would ask my wife about her and encouraged my wife to take her on trips to the children’s hospital. Last night, he was honored for being a good family man. I also know him as someone who honored and nurtured my family.
He was gracious and encouraging when we felt called to another church and another state. Later, my wife loved working with him so much, she agreed to work with him one more time before he retired. We haven’t regretted it.
Beside Every Great Man
Rolland’s wife, Ellen was also honored tonight. She and I were in MBA classes at about the same time Rolland was our executive pastor. I found her to be just as genuine, caring and encouraging. There are so few couples who walk the walk. They are a couple that exudes integrity, teamwork and hospitality.
As the husband of a pastor, I’ve had few role models. Ellen showed me that you can work on your own career goals while supporting your spouse in ministry.
The Real Deal
Therefore, last night was bittersweet. We will miss them as they pursue a new stage in their lives. No doubt, they will show their integrity, warmth, and love for God wherever they go. My wife and I will genuinely miss them! They are the real deal!
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