November 25, 2024
Happy Monday, my friends! For my mom Thanksgiving has always been the most important holiday. Family without the expectation of gifts has always stood out to her. Though it only happened once or twice, she always envisioned hosting huge celebrations open to anyone who needed a place to go and people to be with on Thanksgiving. I remember one year our church sponsored a community potluck for anyone who wanted to come. The father of one of my classmates confessed to my dad that had it not been for that meal their family would have ordered a pizza. For at least 13 Thanksgivings I was either attending school or working outside of Ohio and for more than a few of those Thanksgivings I couldn’t make it home. While I have memorable stories from most of those, I also spent several alone eating pizza or Chinese food and watching TV.
In an age where social and family norms have lessened among many of us, holding “Friendsgiving” has become popular. Whether times for friends to gather before venturing home to families with different political views and ideologies or celebrations in lieu of a traditional Thanksgiving, these times focus on chosen families rather than on the families we were born into or with whom we were raised. Many Queer people turn to chosen families when the people who raised them turn their backs. Even for Queer people whose biological families are affirming or at least try, we often steel ourselves against the uninformed comments and, particularly this year, the stale rationales for why our family members voted for one candidate over the other.
Check-in on your Queer friends this Thanksgiving. Make sure they have somewhere to go. If you can add a chair or two to your table, invite someone to your celebration. Remember, when you have plenty, build a bigger table, not a higher wall.
What are you thankful for? Who’s invited to your table this Thanksgiving?
Let us pray: God of great abundance, help us find room for the extra guest and a bigger table. Warm our hearts to be extravagant hosts and receiving guests. May we each have enough and still share with others. Remind us that when we welcome others, when we share with others, when we provide for each other, we are welcoming you, sharing with you, and providing for you. Amen.
Blessings on your weeks, my friends! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Faithfully,
Ben
Comments