A Thanksgiving Pardon
Until this year, I never thought much about pardoning turkeys.
I mean, how ridiculous is that tradition? One poor turkey receives grace and is spared from being the centerpiece at a White House Thanksgiving feast. It’s a “ha-ha” moment that the President presides over every year.
The levity of this act belies what we’ve recently been through. It’s been a brutal season, and it sure doesn’t feel very funny. There aren't a lot of “winners” out there. We’re still deeply divided, worried about the economy, and wondering what the future will bring.
But maybe that’s all the more reason we need to be in the pardoning spirit this Thanksgiving.
Giving grace, lots and lots of grace, is what we as a faith-filled people are called to do. That doesn’t mean acquiescing or agreeing. In fact, we are also called to keep that fire-in-the-belly and as John Lewis said, “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
But then there’s grace. It’s God's unmerited favor. None of us deserves it, but what a gift it is.
No doubt, it’s hard to give grace. It’s difficult to wrap our heads and hearts around it. It’s not a normal thing to do.
So this Thanksgiving, think about that one turkey – I mean beloved child of God – who you need to pardon. Who needs your grace. Who needs, through you, God’s grace.
Maybe it’ll be a secret pardon just between you and God. That’s OK. But I dare say that your spirit will be lifted, and you will feel lighter.
Happy Thanksgiving, dear readers. I'm thankful for you and all the ways you are inspiring generosity in this world. God bless you!
P.S. This (real) turkey showed up at our house this morning. It looks mighty yummy.
A gentle reminder:
Until Dec. 11 I’m offering my annual Christmas gift to you: Send me a draft of your church’s Christmas/Year End letter. I’ll take a look at it and give you some friendly feedback
Photo credits: Pexels.com and Tom Scheuermann
Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. Here’s what happens when turkeys want to make a joke.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
Schedule a meeting now.
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