What if Jesus showed up on Thanksgiving Day?
To dine at your table what would you say?
Would you be excited, or would you be bothered,
By the mirrored reflection of our Life giving Father?
If you are his child he RSVP’d,
The day you were born when he set you free.
Remember his words when he promised that day?
He commissioned us saying, “I’m with you always.”
So up to your door he greets in the Spirit,
Your flesh starts to rise; you choose to ignore it.
Why are you surprised? What’s rising within?
Why speak in pretense when talking with him?
You’re aware that he knows, you know that he sees,
Beneath all the fuss of the festivities.
None-the-less you press on and embrace with a hug,
Then takes off his cloak and wipes his feet on the rug.
You walk him in and he leans in to say,
“Only you and I know that it’s me here today.”
Smiling you nod as your company he greets,
Reeling inside with each one he meets.
Conversations ensue and then you’re all a gasp,
When turning your way about Sissy he asks.
“Oh she was busy with other engagements.”
And you turn away in your own self abasement.
“May I get you a drink or a few appetizers?”
He nods his head as they gossip about her.
The fire is then stoked to keep the coldness outside,
While revealing the state of your coldness inside.
The kids come in and ask who he is,
You say a new guest and then come the fits.
“We had to say no to our friends, this is not fair!”
To which you reply with a silent long glare.
Someone interrupts with remarks on your house,
And the money you must spend. You’re quite as a mouse.
Guests come to the door and it’s more of the same,
Food on the table and kids to the games.
He’s watching it all and you start to feel flush.
What can he be thinking? Your questions won’t hush.
Shaking it off you attempt to recover,
Fearing what’s left for him to discover.
You announce that you must check on the sauce,
Give a smile of pretense and your hair a quick toss.
Into the kitchen you find quick relief,
You know that he sees and this causes you grief.
You must keep it together it’s not time for review,
They’re expecting tradition what’s the matter with you?
Then in comes Sue in her loud boisterous way,
As she begins flaunting contributions for the day.
Craig follows suit closely behind,
Boasting and bragging of extremely rare finds.
Sue whips around to inquire about Kate,
Asking why she’s so weird and incessantly late.
“Why does she come? She’s backwards and crude.”
And everyone knows her lateness is rude!
You take a deep breath and round everyone up,
“Please take your seats and I’ll put up the pup.”
You sit to see Dan who now appears mad,
“Where is the dressing you promised you’d have?”
“I tried something different”, you calmly explain.
He rolls his eyes and starts to complain.
Bill says a quick blessing and passes the food,
And Sue’s taking note of your strange, bizarre mood.
“Oh don’t worry about her”, Bill turns as he says,
“She’s moved on to Christmas, making plans in her head.”
Jesus looks your way as they go on to say,
“She’s shining her best when she rules Christmas Day!”
“Oh and her parties are the best the events of the year!
They ask if he’ll join to share Christmas Cheer.”
You turn to see Jesus looking into your eyes,
And you use the excuse to go get your pies.
Bill asks you if you made the Pumpkin Crunch Cake.
To which you reply, “This is such a mistake!”
Everyone looks with eyes that now question.
You quickly recover and change your direction,
“It’s the brandy sauce. I forgot all about it.
It makes the cake better so let me go warm it.”
They turn to your new guest and to Jesus they say,
“She’s never like this, not on Thanksgiving Day!”
He looks long in their eyes,
And then he replies,
“This day has brought on new heart confrontations,
That would never have risen minus new information”
You then return with sauce to pour on the cakes.
Begin pouring it on and then slice it for plates.
And what do you know, here enters Kate,
Apologetically greeting for being so late.
“Sue asks, “Why’d you bother we’re now on dessert.”
And they smirk as Kate sits, trying not to look hurt.
Discussions now turn to shopping for Christmas.
And sharing of websites with all of their wish lists.
You gaze at your plate and then up at Kate,
Who never fits in and it’s worse when she’s late.
Sue then asks, “Kate what are your plans?”
“Oh they are simple” as she comes to a stand.
Walking over to warm herself by the fire.
Your eyes can now see her humble attire.
She seems to have peace, a quite state of the heart,
Even with all their words like venomous darts.
She knows she’s disliked but by this she’s unswayed,
Remaining the same not one bit dismayed.
Bill turns your way, “Are you going to conceal,
Your holiday treasure that will give a big thrill?”
You now can see how you’ve lived for this moment,
But you have no desire to stand up and flaunt it.
Bill calls you to stand dinging his glass for attention,
All eyes are upon you to see your intention.
And dropping your head, you go running outside,
Exposing emotions you can no longer hide.
You look to see Jesus at the table unmoved,
Why did he not follow? You know that he knew.
He knew the crisis that you’d be in today.
Why does his presence affect you this way?
You feel so alone when you start to reflect,
Your traditions you wove with each stitch your hand knit.
“Oh God, how do I undo all that I’ve done?
All my life deeds that I now can’t outrun?
I’ve pursued in vain, what is vain in themselves!
God help me to change in spite of myself!
I can now see what was hidden before,
Please help me to live, please help me restore.
Please forgive my slowness and my apathy,
And the heart that’s pursued thrills of vanity.
Please give me your eyes to live my life through.
So all of my deeds emanate from you.”
In the quietness you hear coming from inside,
Christ taking his leave and saying goodbyes.
“Karly, I must go, there’s someone else I must see.”
Then coming your way is the one you don’t want to leave.
“It’s good to see you, your true heart is now free,
Free to live your true life after coming to me.
You’ve been distracted by things that don’t last.
Keep your eyes upon me as you let go of the past.”
“What about them? They always expect!”
“You look to Me and not them, and you’ll not regret.
Their expectations are not your concern.
You leave them to me, for they too have to learn.
Remember I’m with you, you’ll not be alone,
I’ll journey with you all the way home.
Never forget that My RSVP,
Came the day of your rebirth, when I set you free
© 2017
Phil 4:8-9
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.”
NASB