Thanksgiving Day / Thankful Thursday 22/11/18
A journal of the day we finally laid our main kitchen concrete (GFRC) concrete bench top. Due to it’s size, a friend was sending some workers who specialise in concrete coatings to help. It would be a different way of doing GFRC from what we had previously done. A huge day to say the least, but as always, we wanted to put God first. He was the only reason we are alive let alone made it so far on this building journey.
I awoke reading an article of an American man (John Allen Chau) who had wanted to share about Jesus with a remote tribe, though had been shot with an arrow and died. He decided to go there and share His love and the truth he had discovered with those he cared about…but paid with his life.
Amazing how, at times, things seem futile – this guy never even got to say hello! It got me thinking about another event where people would have been thinking it was futile – and how I would use that today for Jesus Time – today was American Thanksgiving…before a big day of concrete…
I didn’t want to give away the fact that it was Thanksgiving Day right away…
We started by reading some random verses on praise, asking each child to get one and read out one after the other faster & faster:
Psalms 30:11-12
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!Psalms 75:1
We thank you, O God!
We give thanks because you are near.
People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.Psalms 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.Psalms 92:1-2
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to the Most High.
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the evening,Psalms 105:1
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.Psalms 106:1
Praise the Lord!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.Psalms 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.Psalms 118:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
I asked the children to find one & read quickly & then find another one right away. It got faster and faster, then we then went to Psalm 136 together. I read the first line of each verse, they we all stated emphatically (shouted!) “His faithful love endures forever”.
Psalms 136
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
And on it went – for the whole Psalm (full Psalm in notes below)
I read the verses faster and faster, while I started the song “Give Thanks with a grateful heart” in the background, turning it louder and louder as the Psalm went on. It eventually drowned out our chanting and we had a brief worship time.
I then asked them what day it was…
Thankful Thursday! A day where we sometimes share testimonies of what God has done over the last week (protection, provision etc) or what He is doing in our hearts or in others we meet / know. .
But specifically today was Thanksgiving…
It must have seemed futile for the pilgrims aboard the Mayflower in 1620. Some seeking a refuge to worship and serve the true God, others with the lure of wealth (quite a mix eh?!) they all endured 66 days at sea to reach the new land.
They landed far farther north than planned, and had to endure the winter aboard their ship, where half of them died. Amazingly, in the Spring, a Native American, speaking English came to them and helped them.
In one of the only instances of Native Indians and new settlers getting along, the settlers were told how to grow corn, avoid poisonous plants, get maple sap and catch fish. They were under nourished and likely to have not survived if it were not for these Natives.
One of the Natives, Squanto, had been kidnapped by an English sea captain and sold as a slave. He later escaped and found a way back to America. Amazing how this man who could have been bitter and have hatred towards other English, but instead helped them survive.
In November 1621, the pilgrims first corn crop proved successful(!), so the governor organised a celebratory feast. Of course, they invited their new friends, and prepared many foods. The Indians came – and brought 5 deer – talk about a feast!
By many, this is regarded as the first thanksgiving.
Today, normally celebrated with turkey and treats, the deeper meaning is so precious. Imagine, people seeking a safe place to worship God, found favour with the Native Indians and ended up feasting with who would normally be enemies!
It is a time to thank God for His faithfulness and for His provision of food- and of course to bless those struggling or without food. A deeper remembrance is how we, being enemies of God due to our sin, have been made friends when we trust in Jesus.
And was there some kind of co-incidence here right now today? We are going to be pouring the concrete bench in the kitchen. A kitchen that will be used to feed those who would otherwise be enemies of God??!! To bless those who may not have much, to bring people into the very presence of God!!
What an incredible correlation!
Sharmini also shared how she had read 3 different devotionals throughout the morning – all of them on thanks!
Boy we have so much to be thankful for!
After prayers, breakfast and morning chores, we hoped to start – however things did not go to plan…
The Physical
The workers coming to help had blown a tyre in the truck, so we went to change the wheel for them, which burnt 2 hours of our already huge day. My back was very sore after that and we were a little concerned that the temperature may now be too hot for the concrete…but remained thankful.
So, so much to be thankful for. I mean, imagine if Murphys Law actually were true!!
After a quick explanation of the job & process, we started mixing and got stuck in. A huge shout out to the boys from Hawk Concrete Floors who really know their craft!
The boys preparing the mixes the day before:
Instead of spraying the GFRC like per normal, the boys from Hawke troweled the mix into the forms in layers about 1cm thick. We then used spiked rollers to push the air out of the mix, then laid a layer of scrim.
By 4pm we were having lunch and ready to call it a day apart from some payments & postage.
Drying with supports under the breakfast bar:
We are very thankful – the bench will be ready for use at a party designed to bless and thank people for their help in a couple of weeks – wahoo!
Conclusion: In everything give thanks!
PRAYER: Thank You Lord for Your strength and faithful love. Thank You that we, despite our failures and sin can be made perfect and pure in Your sight – and be adopted as Your children by simply believing in Jesus. May we continually be thankful and also share Your love with others no matter what.
NOTES:
Psalms 136
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt.
His faithful love endures forever.
He brought Israel out of Egypt.
His faithful love endures forever.
He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea.
His faithful love endures forever.
He led Israel safely through,
His faithful love endures forever.
but he hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who struck down mighty kings.
His faithful love endures forever.
He killed powerful kings—
His faithful love endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites,
His faithful love endures forever.
and Og king of Bashan.
His faithful love endures forever.
God gave the land of these kings as an inheritance—
His faithful love endures forever.
a special possession to his servant Israel.
His faithful love endures forever.
He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures forever.
He saved us from our enemies.
His faithful love endures forever.
He gives food to every living thing.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever.