I make the turkey. Cook’s Illustrated showed me how, and it is flawless. Except when I panic. Last year I felt like it needed to be extra good; I feared the way I knew might not be enough this time. So I departed from The Way, and I ruined Thanksgiving…

Well, not really, but it felt that way. (I definitely ruined the turkey!)

This Thanksgiving, it feels like there’s more than a turkey at stake. Especially this year … a heaping serving of politics, anyone?

I know “How To Hospitality” but if I panic, I’m suddenly afraid that loving the people around my table won’t be enough! Is it enough to share who I am and what I have with the precious humans around me?? How can I be SURE that they’ll have the best Thanksgiving ever? I’m going to ruin Thanksgiving!

But my attention is just tied up by fear and meal planning. Putting down the baster and lifting my eyes to Jesus I hear these words:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 1:3-11

I can’t make Thanksgiving or my relationships perfect. I can’t make everyone happy, but I can trust the process, sure that the outcome is in Jesus’ loving hands. When I panic, I cast around for something I can do that’s more than “just love”. But that’s silly; what could be a better plan than love?

I love turkey. I’m going to follow the Cook’s Illustrated process until someone takes turkey-duty out of my hands. And I do love the people around my table, even with the scary differences that make us feel so divided.

“Hospitality” in New Testament Greek is literally “loving the stranger”. Let them be strange; remind yourself that Jesus is sitting at your side. You are secure in him. Jesus welcomes me; I’ll just welcome them. He’ll take care of the outcome. Deep breath, let go your jaw and shoulders. Pass the potatoes.

Happy Thanksgiving.