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We’ve brined, injected, marinated, spatchcocked, roasted, smoked and fried turkeys over the year and we still haven’t found the PERFECT Thanksgiving turkey recipe. (*Later this week I’ll get to talk with a Butterball representative on National Thaw Day, so maybe we’ll get some helpful tips!) My wife and I have hosted many Thanksgivings – for family, friends and sometimes just our little nuclear four. Preparing the big meal can be stressful – always takes several days – but is such a joy!
We put music on in the house – the whole family gets involved (especially when it is time to make pies). No one enjoys it more than our dog Rose who is guaranteed to get some dropped goodies on the floor. Even though I look back at Holidays-past with rose colored glasses, there are plenty of fights that happen during this time of year too. With so much going on – cooking, cleaning, parties, responsibilities, work, school … it’s not hard to blow up at one another.
Can you avoid hurting feelings by being intentional with one another – making lists – sticking to a schedule … maybe. Sometimes it is inevitable to come into conflict with the people you love most in this world … and I think that’s ok.
I remember when Jesus visited his friends Lazarus and Mary and Martha in the town of Bethany. It was a huge gathering because Jesus travelled with quite the entourage and Martha was busy trying to please everyone. Meanwhile Lazarus was probably hanging with the boys and Mary was simply sitting and listening to Jesus. When Martha blew up at her sister for not helping, Jesus actually told Martha to stop and be with the family.
I’m very much a Martha – this story always rubs me the wrong way because Martha was working so hard to make everyone happy and SHE is the one who get’s chastised? That seems so unfair. Jesus was right, of course. And I have to dwell on this story during the holidays as a reminder that time with Jesus – and our family – is more important than a spotless bathroom or a well brined turkey.