FROM THE PASTOR
Thanksgiving was always special as a child. I’ve mentioned it before but, my Grandparents owned a home on Batteese Lake north of Jackson. And as odd as it may seem when we went to Grandma’s, as the old song lyrics go, … we went over the river and through the woods. Even though we went there every Sunday for dinner there was just something special about that Thanksgiving meal. And as I look back, I believe it was the atmosphere of ‘busyness” that can only come from an inner sacrificial love.
Grandma Surbrook was by no means a tall woman. Her height as I recall was something just shy of 5 feet. I do know that by the time I was 8 or 9 I was looking down at the top of her head. In fact, she was so short, Grandpa had to mount the kitchen cabinets and countertops lower than normal so she could function without a step stool being constantly handy. But, my oh my, could she make a kitchen come to life. It was her domain and she was its creator.
It was also a time when family sat together until the meal was done, talked before, during, and after the meal, and shared the same stories we had heard a hundred times before. All the time enjoying each one as if it was the first time. I also remember that it wasn’t a time where politics, the next-door neighbors short-comings, health, wealth, or any other topic that lacked application to the immediate family was discussed. And while I never recall us doing the “what are you thankful for” thing, I do recall thankfulness being the motivation behind the meal.
I believe, from the bottom of my heart, that that will be the focus of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb presented in Revelation 19.
Revelation 19:7-10 (NASB)
7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."
8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 Then he *said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he *said to me, "These are true words of God."
10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he *said to me, "Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
In my most wild imagination I cannot alter the thought that this meal will be the best meal of “thanksgiving” ever. And the best part will be that my earthly family will also be there to share it with me once again. For that I am eternally thankful to the sacrificial love of a loving God.
Thank you for your faithfulness. Pastor Larry
