Our phones and computers almost demand upgrades. They seem to crash and act up if we are not willing to comply. Alerts flash on our screen demanding our attention. Sometimes, we don’t want to upgrade. Sometimes, we like the way things already are. We know how the system works. We like how our phone operates. We don’t want more features or whatever special items they are taunting us with. We simply want it to stay the same. Except, this isn’t an option. You will upgrade or they will shut you down.
When we finally press the button and the update takes place or we finally buy the upgrade, there are many things we will find frustrate us. Where is THAT button I always use? Why does it make me do this NOW? Why am I required to do this when I never have before? We can get frustrated. But inevitably, there are always little things which we enjoy, that we find we are really excited to see. So there are positives and negatives. We just wish we could have it the way it was before the changes.
I feel like this about Thanksgiving. We are forced to upgrade. We can’t help it. There isn’t anything we did to make it this way. And, it is not all bad. There are some really awesome new features. But we really just want it the way it was. We move forward with what we have, though. This Thanksgiving, I received a special gift – the upgrade I didn’t know would happen, but was glad to see the result.
My Grandma is no longer able to cook like she once did. She is an outstanding cook. Her cakes, pies and goodies are so good your stomach growls just walking in her home. She has cooked these sweet treats for longer than I have been alive. The memories of her goodies lining her spare bedroom is one I will always treasure. But that isn’t where we are now. I have a Thanksgiving tradition of eating an entire Sweet Potato Pie that she makes every year. Note: Don’t judge my tradition and I won’t judge yours. The Pie is amazing and I devour it annually (often I get one at Christmas too, but that’s my business). At lunch not too long ago, Grandma broke the news that she would not be able to make my pie. In my usual stubbornness, I told her she was wrong and there would be pie. She proceeded to tell me why she was right – I interjected with a solution. She would supervise, tell me the ingredients, and I would be her hands. And that’s exactly what we did. I have a Sweet Potato Pie this Thanksgiving. But even more important than the pie, I spent time with my precious Grandma, soaking up her wisdom of cooking. Thanksgiving 2.0 isn’t all bad.
This Thanksgiving, you may find a lot looks different and you don’t like it. But find the treasures hidden in the upgrade. They are always there, even if they seem minor. We might find that the gifts of Thanksgiving shine a bit brighter in the most unusual of times.
Happy Thanksgiving to YOU! I am grateful for you. I appreciate your time to read the Devotion. It means more to me than you know.
Blessings to you all.
Focus Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:18
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 