The Thanksgiving Tradition

By Charles Moncrief

 

What are you thankful for? Frankly, I’m uncomfortable with the tradition in which everyone around the dinner table says “I’m thankful for _____.” Even though I’ve started the process, it’s not one of the things I face with joyful anticipation. So this is not to get the ball rolling when I give you my partial list.

 

I’m thankful for the vision of those who set up this site to benefit victims of crime and violence.

 

I’m thankful for the wonderful articles and essays I’ve read here, with the prospect of greater things ahead as this site continues to get traction in the community.

 

And I’m thankful to be numbered among the list of contributing writers.

 

Out of respect for the adversities you may have faced, I’ll tread softly in my invitation to consider the things for which you’re thankful. All the same, I’ll extend the invitation. I’ll also acknowledge that, while we’ve all had to deal with some harsh realities in our lives, we don’t have to be defined by them. I’ve found this in my own experience, and I’ve seen it affirmed in the writings on this site.

 

It reminds me of the story in Mark 7:32-36. After Jesus healed a man’s hearing and speech impairment, he told everyone not to publish this. The reason may have been in part that the man had been known as “the deaf and dumb guy,” and Jesus didn’t want him to be known as “the former deaf and dumb guy.” He wanted the man to be known by his given name, rather than by his affliction, and he wanted to give him the opportunity to return to his community simply as a man.

 

How often do we think of ourselves in terms of what we’ve been through, or what we’ve done? One aspect of our Kairos prison ministry is that we teach the inmates that they aren’t defined by their crimes. The “thief” learns that he’s a human being who has committed theft. The “murderer” comes to know himself as a human being who has committed murder. It’s a subtle distinction, and it’s hardly a comfort to his victims, but it helps the person come to terms with who he is and what he’s done. He still faces the consequences of his actions. But for those who aren’t serving life sentences, the recidivism rate for this ministry is under ten per cent.

 

If this principle is effective for those who committed crimes, maybe it can be applied to crime victims as well. The “abused wife” is the woman who experienced abuse. The “robbery victim” is the human being who was robbed. I know this sounds unrealistic, and it comes off as an attempt to put on rose-colored glasses. But it’s real, and I challenge you to try it.

 

Getting back to the story in Mark, Jesus spoke one of the few Aramaic words recorded in the Bible. The word is “ephphathah,” translated approximately as “be opened.” I’ll ask you to be open to a new self-image as we go forward through Thanksgiving and the remaining winter holidays. And realistic or not, I’ll be optimistic about the results.

 

Grace and Peace,

Charles+

A Day of Thanksgiving: Oh My Soul I Still Give Thanks

By Pamela Chapman


As I pondered upon what message or thought I would share for my next piece, at first I thought about continuing with my last contribution. I thought I’d share some information to help move you forward using journaling. We will still delve into that subject but since we are in the Thanksgiving season, I am inspired to go there instead.


While there may be some controversy around what Thanksgiving Day is and what it represents, I believe our history books are consistent in this. Those who settled in the Plymouth Colony were not entrepreneurs like those who settled in Jamestown. They were those who were fleeing religious persecution and seeking a place to worship as they saw fit. Many of the events and traditions surrounding Plymouth Colony have become part of American history including Thanksgiving, hence Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and express gratitude in general.


Thanksgiving ushers in the holidays and for many of us, myself included, it brings haunting memories. Many of us are grieving. I need not list what I believe that grieving might be. Unfortunately, many of us have a difficult time finding anything to give thanks for or celebrate about this time of year.


Please do not take this as me being some expert telling you what you have to do and what you should do. I have suffered much grief and much pain in my fifty plus years of living. I’ve cried enough tears for several oceans let alone rivers. I still cry. Often time, now, my tears are tears of refreshing. I cry tears that represent my “how I got over,” and my tears often represent tears of thanksgiving. However, I still cry intercessory tears.


Even as I write this piece, I cry. I cry for the woman who has lost her child due to some lost soul not seeing her baby as the precious jewel they are and will always be. I cry for the parents and siblings who don’t know where there loved ones are today and there is no closure. I even cry for the soul who is so confused, full of hate and turmoil that must harm others in order to feel fulfilled. I cry for the nation who cannot see their children and women as jewels and treasures who should be cherished and protected. I cry for the nations who believe human beings should be sold and bought like commodities. However, in spite of it all, I still give thanks.


I give thanks that today I opened my eyes and took a new breath. I give thanks because today I know that the Universe sends new mercy. I give thanks because I have a roof over my head and food in the refrigerator. I give thanks because I have an eight-six-year old mother who last year this time wasn’t expected to live. I give thanks that I have a handsome son, beautiful daughter-in-law and five incredibly beautiful grandchildren who are driving my son crazy paying him back for all the times he drove me crazy. I give thanks that in spite of what my son has come through and what I have come through we still have our wits about us, our self-confidence and our self-worth.


No, it didn’t come without some realigning, but I am thankful and we are moving on. I give thanks that in spite of all the challenges this great nation faces, I can still open my laptop this morning and freely express what my heart wants to say to you today. I give thanks to all Supreme Intelligence and all Powerful Creator who has sent me to love and to heal and to be a light amongst the lights. I give thanks that you, the amazingly and wonderfully made, are in and part of my life. I am thankful for You, your love and your complete healing.


Oh my soul, I still give thanks.




In Love & Light


Pamela Chapman, CTACC, CDVS
Self-Esteem and Life-Transition Expert, Teacher, Author