Contentment: The Roots of Thanksgiving

Contentment: The Roots of Thanksgiving

It’s that time of year again when American’s take a break from their rampant consumerism to pause, reflect on all they have and make plans to line up at midnight on the outside chance that they can get into a fist fight over some imported electronic device at deep, deep discounted prices.  But this season is about more than just black Friday (but #blackfridaysdostillmatter).  It’s also about making sure the credit cards have enough room on them to buy all those things we’ve been conditioned to swear that we can’t live without.  When the holiday sales are long gone we will still have those interest rates to remind us why we need to go to work…on Saturday…for overtime…on the second job.  After all, that’s what it’s all about, right?

Making Jerky - Spicy, Spicy Jerky

In the past decade as our family has grown we have seen some traditions take root in our home, some by design and others simply as organic outcroppings of the way we live.  It’s Tuesday night and already the house smells fantastic.  Pies and other reminders of Natalie’s superior culinary skills are taking shape as I write.  The kids have already picked the duck from the backyard flock that will make her final voyage to the dinner table on Thursday.  They named her ‘Thanksgiving’.  I can’t argue with the efficiency of the choice.  I’m gearing up for several hours of snuggling with the kids, watching family videos and pictures showing how our family has grown and why we are so thankful.  There will be laughing and stories.  There will be eating and napping.  There will be drinking and cuddling.  There will be all of the things that make a man rich and a family strong.  And none of that requires a credit card.  None of that requires interest rates. 

As I get older it would appear that the sweetness of life is getting sweeter.  The scents of a loving home are growing lovelier.  The welcome chill of the fall air is countered by the growing warmth of a contented heart.  I am humbled and grateful that the Lord saw fit to give me the opportunity to love and be loved like this.  I am aware that being a husband and a father is so much more than I could have dreamed of or prepared for.  I am thankful for my bride and all of the blessing that have come into my life since she did.  It’s been said that ‘he who finds a wife finds a good thing and gains favor from the Lord’.  They were right and I am made rich because of her.

As for me, I’m content to let those crazy sales go on without me.  I’ll stick to pulling my kids close and laughing over how far we’ve come together.  I’m content to share a cushion with my bride and dream about what these crazy kids will do next, or 10 years from now.  I’m content…and that is plenty for a man like me to be thankful for.