Thanksgiving Chocolates

 

by Mirjami Budarz
 

“My Mama always said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.’” -Forrest Gump. This iconic quote seems to hold true. The box of life contains unpalatable bitter and bittersweet candies in the assortment among the sweet ones.

My first Thanksgiving in this country was such a piece. I went into a long labor and after hours of agonizing pain, our first baby was born. Out of much pain came joy and the wonder of a new life and new motherhood. A piece of bitter sweet candy out of the box of life.

 

There have been many sweet pieces since that time, but then again I got an unpalatable surprise
from my chocolate box. Alzheimer's disease mercilessly silenced my dear sister Liisa. It cocooned her. She became unreachable.

 I missed her desperately and lamented to my daughter. She said, “Stop the pity party and be thankful for Liisa and her life. Celebrate the memories, the sweet times you shared.” Teary eyed, I picked up that bitter chocolate piece from my box of life and thanked God for my precious sister. Ever so slowly sweet memories flooded in and filled the deep void with solemn thanksgiving.

You may also yearn for someone dear to sit at your festive Thanksgiving table to share a family meal, stories, warmth, time together, friendships and hugs. Instead you feel sadness and a painful void. Those are the bitter unpalatable pieces.

Choose to treasure the memories, give thanks for them and look up. Your box of chocolates isn't empty yet. All the boxes contain a sweet “future and hope” piece. Although plain looking, it is the costliest candy, with the unique taste and stamp of the Master Chocolatier.

Sadly, some will leave that special candy untouched, look upon it with disdain and walk away.

Please pick up your “future and hope” piece, smell the tantalizing aroma and taste the goodness. Remember to thank the Master Chocolatier.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8 NKJ

For I know the thoughts I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and hope. Jeremiah 29:1 NKJ

 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! For his mercy endures forever. Psalm 118:1 NKJ

Mirjami is an active member of Wilmington Word Weavers.
She is an artist, writer and follower of Jesus.
 

Who Will Go?

By Venus Schrader

Who Will Go?

Who or What is this voice I hear?

This rage

This fear

I see the gazelle, she wants to run

Run fast

Run strong

Run long and hard

Filling her lungs with new air

New life

Her heart pumping new blood

The darkness moves swiftly

Shadows try to overtake her

She never looks back

It would mean death

They would capture her soul

Her life would be over

Her body is weak

The darkness knows she is tired

Her legs lose their spring

Her stride is small

She hears a small still voice

I love you

I love you

I will never leave you

Don't give up

Don't brake your stride

Out of the darkness the gazelle sprints

Running

Running fast

Fast long strides

Her head lifted

Her back high

Strong eyes wide open

Full of life

Her heart pumping new blood

New energy

A fire in her belly

The darkness is fading

Over the hills she runs

Through the valleys

Over the streams

She sees the mountains

She runs faster than ever before

The air is clean and good

With tenacity she approaches the mountain

Higher and higher with each step

She is stronger

The top of the mountain in view

The darkness will not find me here

Peace

Quiet

Light and warmth

The sweet smell of LOVE

She looks from the mountain

Courage to look back

She sees the darkness

A consuming ball of smoke

Twisting and twirling

Destroying it's prey

She hears the cries

Loud

Anguish

Who will go?

Down the mountain

She runs

Runs fast

Runs strong

Her heart pumping new blood

When the pressures of my personal life press in on me I ask myself, Am I fit to serve?

The imperfections of my past creep in to challenge my ability to be of use in the kingdom of God.

Before long I feel like this gazelle weak and afraid.

                            Too tired to fight.

                                    Too weak to serve.

Then Jesus reminds me that  he is my strength. Zechariah 4:6 says:

Then he said, "This is God's message to Zerubbabel: Not by might , nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty - you will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak.”

God's word draws us in to His presence. And like the gazelle, we find our strength in His presence and the darkness fades away. Amen.

The Bible says:

You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

God has created each of us for such a time as this.

You can do all things through Christ your strength.

Like the gazelle run your race with courage - your heart pumping new blood.

Your Turn:  In what areas of your life are you like the gazelle?

                   In what ways has God directed your path during the hard times?

Will you go?

Bio: My husband and I, three daughters and one granddaughter landed in Wilmington, NC five years ago. I enjoy spending time with family and friends exploring the wonders of life. As God leads I hope to express this journey of life through the beauty of words.