Gravy and Grace

My grandparents moved to Lima, Peru in the late sixties. Shortly after their arrival, a neighbor showed up with a gift to welcome them to the country: a turkey. Yes, a live turkey.

Since it was mid-day, my grandmother was the only one at home. When the neighbor with the turkey arrived, she tried to wave them away. ‘No gracias,’ she tried. The neighbor insisted. ‘No gracias,’ my grandmother tried again. The neighbor shoved the turkey’s neck into my grandmother’s hands.

After the neighbor left, my grandmother was left standing with the turkey dangling from her grasp. Knowing no better alternative, she shoved the turkey into the trunk of the car and drove to the closest restaurant. There, she took the turkey out and brought it in for the cook.

The cook did not think this was the greatest gift either. Fear of killing the turkey forced him to offer the turkey some Pisco and then, the cook took a sip himself. Then, with knife in hand he took the turkey to the outside yard of the restaurant. A strange Peruvian thanksgiving of sorts was served at the restaurant that night.

Sometimes, life provides ‘gifts’ that are not always welcome.
Circumstances. Changes. People. Problems. Strange things. Surprises.
Sometimes, within a few days – unwelcome gifts reveal strange grace.
Sometimes it takes months, sometimes years.
Sometimes, well, those unwelcome moments are just turkeys with no gravy to be found.

Recently I spoke with someone who lost a job within the past six months, now, forty pounds thinner this person has found new energy. A whole lot of ‘turkey’, with just a little gravy.

When we found out that Caitlyn would be born with Down Syndrome, a friend said “Maybe she will be just the grace your family needs.” At the time, her words were pure turkey. In retrospect, now I can see they were gravy and grace.

As you sit down for Thanksgiving this year, I’m not sure what’s on your plate. The beauty of Christian community as the portraits of the early church in Acts depict is that we sit down together, side by side, turkey and all – to say grace and give thanks.

At the table the early church broke bread, prayed, shared resources and sang songs of praise. Though we’ve made it a lot more complicated, it doesn’t need to be.

Prayers for gravy and grace this Thanksgiving