Daily Devotionals
Monday, Novmeber 18, 2024 (Mary Ann)
Let’s talk turkey
Way back in my growing-up-in-Braham days, Dad raised turkeys, which makes me his last turkey still standing. So I am credentialed; I have lived among the flock; I earned my feathers. I am qualified to judge other turkeys.
Admittedly, this devotional likely results from a NyQuil OD, but still, let me tell you about one amazing turkey I met after moving back to this area. His name was Thanks, and he lived out his last years with friends of mine on an acreage outside of Cambridge. Thinking of him recently has inspired me … in maybe an odd way, but let’s see where this goes.
Now, in contrast to ordinary (ugly) grocery-store-variety turkeys, Thanks was a magnificent Royal Palm bird — a heritage breed of domestic turkey with a unique appearance, mostly white with bands of metallic black. And if you could have seen Thanks strut his stuff (Not his stuffing. Stop thinking that way!), you would have realized he knew how glorious he was.
But one of the reasons Thanks fluffed himself up and followed humans around like a puppy was that he had become a lonely old bird. He missed his mate. You already know her name, don’t you?
Poor Thanks just wasn’t complete without his beloved Giving.
And neither is our thanks without giving. So let’s take the Turkey Challenge!
First, thanks and giving to God.
So if we can gain anything from turkeys, let it be the determination this year to not trample all over Thanksgiving in our madcap rush to Christmas. (I’m as guilty as anyone. The outdoor lights are up and the tree is in the living room, ready to be decorated.)
It takes intentionality to slow down and go beyond piling all our blessings together like a helping of lumpy semi-mashed potatoes. “One and done, Lord. Thanks for everything.” A better approach takes the time and thought to be specific with God. First step then could mean taking a breath, making a list and meditating on how good, kind, generous and merciful our Heavenly Father has been to us every single day of 2024.
Then by going to God with specific thanks, we are giving him meaningful praise, remembering that Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father. (James 1:17)
Then, thanks and giving to others.
Family, friends, co-workers, tribe members, neighbors. Yes, we thank God for them. But could this be the year to be more intentional and individual with them, too? Maybe it’s face to face. Or a hand-written note. Or even an email. But with specific thanks for what a person has done or for what they mean to you, you are giving them love and encouragement for the gifts God’s given them and the impact their own lives have on others.
Like Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Bottom line: Sure, it takes courage to be direct with God and with others, but who wants to go through Thanksgiving being chicken? Instead, let’s fluff up our magnificent feathers and put some meat on our thanks and giving with intentional and specific gratitude.
Thanks and giving … to YOU.
As for you, dear Sisters, please know how grateful I am for your friendship, encouragement and prayers. We really are awesomely better together.
Mary Ann (AKA Turkey Hanson)
Way back in my growing-up-in-Braham days, Dad raised turkeys, which makes me his last turkey still standing. So I am credentialed; I have lived among the flock; I earned my feathers. I am qualified to judge other turkeys.
Admittedly, this devotional likely results from a NyQuil OD, but still, let me tell you about one amazing turkey I met after moving back to this area. His name was Thanks, and he lived out his last years with friends of mine on an acreage outside of Cambridge. Thinking of him recently has inspired me … in maybe an odd way, but let’s see where this goes.
Now, in contrast to ordinary (ugly) grocery-store-variety turkeys, Thanks was a magnificent Royal Palm bird — a heritage breed of domestic turkey with a unique appearance, mostly white with bands of metallic black. And if you could have seen Thanks strut his stuff (Not his stuffing. Stop thinking that way!), you would have realized he knew how glorious he was.
But one of the reasons Thanks fluffed himself up and followed humans around like a puppy was that he had become a lonely old bird. He missed his mate. You already know her name, don’t you?
Poor Thanks just wasn’t complete without his beloved Giving.
And neither is our thanks without giving. So let’s take the Turkey Challenge!
First, thanks and giving to God.
So if we can gain anything from turkeys, let it be the determination this year to not trample all over Thanksgiving in our madcap rush to Christmas. (I’m as guilty as anyone. The outdoor lights are up and the tree is in the living room, ready to be decorated.)
It takes intentionality to slow down and go beyond piling all our blessings together like a helping of lumpy semi-mashed potatoes. “One and done, Lord. Thanks for everything.” A better approach takes the time and thought to be specific with God. First step then could mean taking a breath, making a list and meditating on how good, kind, generous and merciful our Heavenly Father has been to us every single day of 2024.
Then by going to God with specific thanks, we are giving him meaningful praise, remembering that Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father. (James 1:17)
Then, thanks and giving to others.
Family, friends, co-workers, tribe members, neighbors. Yes, we thank God for them. But could this be the year to be more intentional and individual with them, too? Maybe it’s face to face. Or a hand-written note. Or even an email. But with specific thanks for what a person has done or for what they mean to you, you are giving them love and encouragement for the gifts God’s given them and the impact their own lives have on others.
Like Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Bottom line: Sure, it takes courage to be direct with God and with others, but who wants to go through Thanksgiving being chicken? Instead, let’s fluff up our magnificent feathers and put some meat on our thanks and giving with intentional and specific gratitude.
Thanks and giving … to YOU.
As for you, dear Sisters, please know how grateful I am for your friendship, encouragement and prayers. We really are awesomely better together.
Mary Ann (AKA Turkey Hanson)
