And so here I am again, typing on my computer in a world completely oblivious to the importance of this day. The Macy's Day parade, Mom's baked corn, first gifts of Christmas, and the first chords of Christmas songs are highlights of a day that most of my students can't wrap their heads around.
Nevertheless, I tried. I taught my 3°ESO students about TiVO for football games, electric knives, and digital meat thermometers. (Can you tell it was a technology class?) I taught my students in 1°ESO that Thanksgiving is a day for us to "remember all of the things we are thankful for." (Never mind that it is being overrun by Black Friday, which is the polar opposite: a day when many people from the U.S. go shopping at extreme hours to obtain the items that in a matter of hours became essential to their happiness.)
But what does it mean to remember? What does it mean to "be thankful" or "dar gracias"? Although I love Hope College's BE chapels (Be still and know that I am God... Psalm 46:10), I wonder sometimes what it means to "be". Are we supposed to just feel it or are we called to do something? Do we have to know it in our heads or hearts or both? And who do we give thanks (dar gracias) to?
In an effort to answer these questions that have filled my head in my outside perspective of Thanksgiving, I decided to consult Merrium-Webster.
1: The first definition doesn't help me much. Pretty much a repetition of the faulty description I already picked apart.
2: The second helps answer who I am giving gratitude to, which should have been obvious from the forefront.
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or
authorities; all things were created by him and for him. - Colossians 1:16
God created the things in Hershey and in Holland. In Sevilla and in Madrid. Yes, I could thank the creators of Skype for giving me the opportunity to virtually join my family dinner later today, but let's be honest: they didn't create themselves nor their minds that generated this handy invention.
3: The last definition is what I aim to do with this blog post. Here is my public acknowledgement of the divine goodness that I am experiencing. Here is my attempt to "enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name." (Psalm 100:4) Because to be honest, this is not the way I have been treating my experience so far. In the transition out of college and into the "real world", not everything has been rainbows and butterflies. Thus, in a constant effort to remind people that I am living life with the same daily routines that one might have in the U.S., I have forgotten to marvel at the blessings that have been showered upon me. I fell into the devil's trap that if it isn't easy, it isn't worth giving thanks for.
So yes, it's difficult for me to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Because sometimes the things I am most thankful for cease to exist because a new blessing has arrived. And yes, I know: it sounds stupid to complain about blessings. But life isn't always so cut and dry; blessings don't always take shape immediately.
So yes, it's difficult for me to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Because sometimes the things I am most thankful for cease to exist because a new blessing has arrived. And yes, I know: it sounds stupid to complain about blessings. But life isn't always so cut and dry; blessings don't always take shape immediately.
I was excited beyond belief for the opportunity to move to Spain on a Fulbright scholarship. But now I am 6 time zones away from the family that I love so dearly. I am excited about the group of Spaniards I went to dinner with last night, but my communication with my best friend is limited to Skype and postcards. Cognitively, I'm thankful for every season, but that doesn't mean that it is easy for my heart to transition between them.
However, as a tribute to Thanksgiving, I would like to set a goal for myself. I intend to be more conscious and thankful, even when it is not easy. Instead of considering my runs through Retiro Park to be part of a normal 45 minute loop, I will take a moment to recognize that the place that I am calling home is a place that most people arrive at with the excitement of discovering a gem in a new city. Even on the days when I am homesick, wishing I could curl up in front of the fireplace or settle into the community table at LJs, I intend to take a moment to give thanks to the God who created this opportunity for me. After all, with so many adventures to be had, I can't let the inner trials of the day-to-day routine wear me out!
But let's be honest. I'm not doing this on my own. There are many people who have helped with this thanksgiving motivation. So here's a "thanks" to a few...
Mom. Yes, she sent me a B Sue Sews Christmas decoration :)
My students. They did a great job with our "Tree of Thanks".
Jackie. Who else would send me a homemade postcard? Love.
There are so many more, but these are the only pictures that I had. So much love and many thanks to all. Your support is the most motivating element of this grand adventure.
Well, that's it for now, folks. I'm off to have dinner with some friends and I think some Thanksgiving crafts will be involved. Then later this weekend I will be eating two Thanksgiving dinners so be jealous. While you are all eating leftovers, I will be eating the "real thing." (As real as it gets in a country that doesn't sell canned pumpkin in the grocery stores.) I promise to document it :)
In His grip,
Amber
P.S. With all of my pictures of food, you are probably wondering what I ate while you are all stuffing your faces with turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Drum roll please...
Chili! Without the majority of chili spices... I had to get creative.
