Work That Lasts

 

Several weeks before Thanksgiving, our neighbor, Jim, mentioned that he wouldn’t be getting together with his extended family this year, since they would be having a reunion in Indiana at Christmas. Jim wanted to know if we would be interested in having Thanksgiving dinner together. He offered to order the meal from a local chain and drop it off at our house the day before, if I would heat it up!  

Since Al and I weren’t sure about what our own family was planning, we couldn’t give him a definite answer. However, as the holiday drew closer, it appeared that our son-in-law and grandkids would be going down to Ohio. So, we contacted Jim and told him that we’d love to share that time with him.

We talked over the offerings from the restaurant and decided on ham instead of turkey for a change. All of the same side dishes including stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy came with the ham, everything minus the cranberry sauce.  A whole pumpkin pie was also included on the menu.

The only problem was that he didn’t like pumpkin pie! He even asked the restaurant if it could be replaced with another dessert. They told him that he was welcome to buy a pie somewhere; however, the meal only came with pumpkin.

So, the night before, I made a Butterfinger ice-cream pie for Jim. That was basically all of the “cooking” I had to do! The rest of the dinner was heated and ready by the time he arrived.

“I’m hungry,” he exclaimed. “Boy am I hungry!”

The three of us did a pretty good job of finishing off a meal that was designed for four. Jim took home the rest of the ice-cream pie, while Al and I were happy to keep the pumpkin pie.

He thanked me profusely, even though I tried to convince him that it was an easy and enjoyable meal to prepare.

Including the special dessert for Jim and the clean-up on Thanksgiving Day, I probably only spent four hours in the kitchen. It was quite a contrast to the time and effort of past Thanksgiving dinners, especially those prepared by my mother.

 I remember one time in particular when my family had driven from Bakersfield to Oakland, California for the holiday. We stayed with Grandma Turner, the five of us stuffed into every corner of her small house. My aunt and uncle hosted us at their home for the dinner, also filled to the brim with children.

Mom and Auntie Ann spent several hours of cooking and baking, while trying to keep some order with little kids running underfoot. When it was time to eat we all congregated around the dining room table. With heads bowed, “Grace” was said…and finally it was time to eat.

 Platters of food were passed around the table, one right after the other until our dinner plates were full.  Of course, with the children, eating didn’t take long before they were up and out the door to play.

When everyone had finished and had left the table, my mom and aunt looked at each other in astonishment, wondering how it could be over so soon after all those hours of work! They were exhausted, but satisfied that everyone was full and happy.

Then came the massive cleanup. My cousins and I were recruited to wash and dry the dishes, despite our excuses. It was a big chore in the days before automatic dishwashers. There was no escaping from the kitchen to play!

Mom and Auntie Ann set more than the table at our Thanksgiving feast. They selflessly and lovingly carried on a family tradition, one that would not be forgotten by ensuing generations.  

 Psalm 90 is attributed to Moses, the great man of God who led his people out of slavery in Egypt. Moses prayed, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17 NIV) He desired to have God’s favor, that there would be enduring fruit from his devoted and selfless leadership of the people of Israel for over forty years.

 Our labors will endure if done in love, faith and reliance upon God. Establish the work of our hands, O Lord!

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1Corinthians 10:31 NIV)