Last Monday I went to the craft store in search of Thanksgiving stickers for the nieces and nephews. It was still three days until Thanksgiving, but the harvest decorations were on the clearance rack and it took me fifteen minutes to find a few, lame pumpkin stickers underneath the mounds of Christmas stuff. The store was packed with people whose carts were full of Christmas lights and wrapping and gifts.
I wasn’t even close to being ready for Thanksgiving, and now I was already behind on Christmas!
Here on December 2nd, the outlook still isn’t good. I only have a handful of gifts and about 3 hours available between now and the 25th to finish my shopping.
Thankfully, I have Mom’s “Three S’s for Busy-Season Survival”: Separate, Simplify, and Size-Up. We’ve blogged about them before, but never are they more helpful than in December. I hope they serve you. Unless, of course, you were one of those people at the craft store last week who were ready for Christmas before you sat down for Thanksgiving turkey.
Last week CJ sat down for an interview with one of my favorite authors and teachers—Jerry Bridges. As I listened to the podcast of their conversation, I was freshly reminded of why I appreciate Mr. Bridges’ ministry so much. He is a man who combines a deep understanding of the truths of the gospel with a passion for personal holiness. To listen to him describe his daily pursuit of godliness—which has not waned, but only increased with age—inspires me to new zeal in fighting sin and loving the Savior. I would heartily encourage you to listen and apply.
This year’s Turkey Bowl quickly turned in to a rout (35-14). Although Dad was quarterback for both teams, he refused to appear in the picture with the losing team citing the inferior play of certain team members. Despite being on the losing team (for the record: we had distinct field position disadvantage always having to go up hill) we had tons of fun!
Come ye thankful people come, Raise the song of harvest home! All is safely gathered in, Ere the winter storms begin; God our Maker, doth provide For our wants to be supplied: Come to God’s own temple, come, Raise the song of harvest home.
All the world is God’s own field Fruit unto his praise to yield; Wheat and tares together sown Unto joy or sorrow grown; First the blade, and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear; Lord of the harvest! grant that we Wholesome grain and pure may be.
God shall come, And shall take his harvest home; From his field shall in that day All offenses purge away, Give his angels charge at last In the fire the tares to cast; But the fruitful ears to store In his garner evermore.
Even so, Lord, quickly come, Bring thy final harvest home; Gather thou thy people in, Free from sorrow, free from sin, There, forever purified, in thy presence to abide; Come, with all thine angels, come, Raise the glorious harvest home.
I’m busy making a trial-run at gravy today, which seemed wise, given my failure last year. I want to be sure it really will thicken this time. Tomorrow we’ll be back with holiday thoughts; and be sure to check in on Friday for highlights from the annual Mahaney Family Turkey Bowl. We conclude our turkey funnies with this video…
Another classic Thanksgiving Friday Funny, from Gloria this time…
PREGNANT TURKEY STORY
One year at Thanksgiving, my mom went to my sister’s house for the traditional feast. Knowing how gullible my sister is, my mom decided to play a trick. She told my sister that she needed something from the store. When my sister left, my mom took the turkey out of the oven, removed the stuffing, stuffed a Cornish hen, and inserted it into the turkey, and re-stuffed the turkey. She then placed the bird(s) back in the oven. When it was time for dinner, my sister pulled the turkey out of the oven and proceeded to remove the stuffing. When her serving spoon hit something, she reached in and pulled out the little bird. With a look of total shock on her face, my mother exclaimed, “Patricia, you’ve cooked a pregnant bird!” At the realization of this horrifying news, my sister started to cry. It took the family two hours to convince her that turkeys lay eggs! Yep…she’s blonde!
The bustle of Thanksgiving week is upon us. We’re shopping and cooking and hoping this year’s dinner turns out better than last year’s. To give you a few laughs in the midst of all your busy preparations we’ll post a few Thanksgiving-themed “Friday Funnies” this week. This first hilarious yet cautionary tale is from Carol.
Thanking God for the gift of laughter…
Nicole for the girltalkers
THE GOOD NAPKINS…ahhhhh…the joys of having girls…
My mother taught me to read when I was four years old (her first mistake)....
One day, I was in the bathroom and noticed one of the cabinet doors was ajar. I read the box in the cabinet. I then asked my mother why she was keeping ‘napkins’ in the bathroom. Didn’t they belong in the kitchen?
Not wanting to burden me with unnecessary facts, she told me that those were for “special occasions” (her second mistake)...
Now, fast forward a few months….It’s Thanksgiving Day, and my folks are leaving to pick up my uncle and his wife for dinner. Mom had assignments for all of us while they were gone. Mine was to set the table.
When they returned, my uncle came in first and immediately burst into laughter.
Next, in came his wife who gasped, then began giggling.
Next, in came my father, who roared with laughter.
Then in came Mom, who almost died of embarrassment when she saw each place setting on the table with a “special occasion” napkin at each plate, with the fork carefully arranged on top. I had even tucked the little tail in so they didn’t hang off the edge!!
My mother asked me why I used these and, of course, my response sent the other adults into further fits of laughter.
“But, Mom, you SAID they were for special occasions!!!” Isn’t it easier to just tell the truth and be careful who you ask to set the table for you!
2008 at 11:48 am | by Carolyn Mahaney
Filed under
Motherhood
What’s the future for your kids look like today?
Perhaps your home is a place of peace and tranquility, your fears as insignificant as gnats to swat away.
Or maybe trials are washing over you like relentless waves. Your anxieties are consuming and overwhelming. They rob you of sleep and plague your waking hours. But no matter the size or shape of your fears, may I encourage you to take them to the foot of the cross?
The gospel isn’t an out-of-date message; it is the good news of a saving God who is “a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). So repent from worry and put your trust in the glorious gospel.
My husband has a Charles Spurgeon quotation as his screensaver, which we would do well to have running across the screen of our minds: “As for His failing you, never dream of it—hate the thought. The God who has been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end.”
So let our mothering forecast be one of victory and not of defeat. We have the hope of the gospel in our souls.
As mothers who have trusted in Jesus Christ, we have the hope of the gospel.
The gospel begins with some bad news. It confirms the fact that we are all sinful, rebellious creatures. Rebellion is not unique to children today. In Psalm 51, King David laments, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (v. 5).
But the gospel doesn’t leave us with bad news. The message of the gospel is that Jesus Christ has come to save rebellious sinners: mothers and children. He lived a perfect, rebellion-free life, fully submitted to His Father, and died a cruel death as our substitute. Then He rose from the dead and is seated now at the right hand of God, the Father.
The truth of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection is our hope as mothers. In his book, Shepherding a Child’s Heart, Tedd Tripp concurs:
“You have reason for hope as parents who desire to see your children have faith. The hope is in the power of the gospel. The gospel is suited to the human condition. The gospel is attractive. God has already shown great mercy to your children. He has given them a place of rich privilege. He has placed them in a home where they have heard His truth. They have seen the transforming power of grace in the lives of His people. Your prayer and expectation is that the gospel will overcome their resistance as it has yours.”
The gospel message should provide us with tremendous heart-strengthening, soul-encouraging hope: Jesus Christ is “mighty to save” (Isa. 63:1).
Last Monday I went to the craft store in search of Thanksgiving stickers for the nieces and nephews. It was still three days until Thanksgiving, but the harvest decorations were on the clearance rack and it took me fifteen minutes to find a few, lame pumpkin stickers underneath the mounds of Christmas stuff. The store was packed with people whose carts were full of Christmas lights and wrapping and gifts.
