THE TABLE OF THANKSGIVING By Lori A Alicea

Everyday life sets before us a
Table of Thanksgiving.

Surprising guests from meal to meal, life serves a different special from the menu,
Always confirming though one’s reservation at their
Table of Thanksgiving.

Every guest dining prefers their favorite table by the fireplace,
Where the warmth and coziness from the quaint flames stokes the ambience of the evening.

Life by the fireplace is tranquil and calming to the soul.
The lighting is dim and easy on the eyes.

The Table of Thanksgiving is clothed with fine linen and adorned with coordinating tableware and centerpieces to compliment.

Dinner consists of a choice meat accompanied with delectable sides and warm buttered bread; a meal to truly satisfy a hungry palate.

Coffee and designer deserts complete a full meal and a full heart with much to be grateful for seated at this
Table of Thanksgiving.
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Sometimes though, life sets your Table of Thanksgiving in the overflow section as the rush hour crowd has occupied the preferred seating, leaving only the available back table near the door, with a bit of warmth though from the bright afternoon sun to salvage the mood, still giving thanks though with a slight attitude from the inconvenience.

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Then there are those unexpected days where the guest list is terribly overbooked. A waiter’s apology for the least desired location of this Table of Thanksgiving, and gives his regret for the limited menu about to be served.

At this particular table there are no fine linens or centerpieces to adorn the table. The ambience is lacking with the glowing wood burning embers a room away.  Conversations carry a bit further in this seated section.

Though life has still prepared for its guests a special from the manager’s menu, the blessings are only appetizers and bite size finger foods served from the kitchen tonight, with a few guests chewing on bite size bits of disappointment at this
Table of Thanksgiving.

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This holiday, and every day,
God has seated us and prepared for us a table
where there is something to be thankful for,
something praiseworthy at our
Table of Thanksgiving.

There are many days life serves a banquet, a glorious feast.
Our plates are heaped in blessings from appetizers to dessert.
There isn’t a chill in the room seated by the toasty fire of his love.

God’s blessings are evident in its abundance.
It’s easy to give God praise being seated at this
Table of Thanksgiving.

Sometimes though, life serves us leftovers from dinner last night.

The day old bread isn’t as soft or warm as when it is served hot and fresh from a baking oven. Day old designer pastries lose their fine appearance and the meal itself leaves the palate unsatisfied, and while God is still faithful in this meal, our silent grumbling and complaining shows itself in the small tips of our praise at this
Table of Thanksgiving.

Every now and then a seat at the kid’s table reveals the heart of our praise. Do we praise Him when the dinner plate we are served is not the three course manager special, but cold snacks from the Kiddie Menu instead.
ethan praying
Wherever our table is located in the restaurant called life,
Give Thanks,
Give Praise,
Have eyes to see God’s faithfulness,
regardless the meal that is served.

Will we praise him “in all things” when the hunger of our desires stirs up ungratefulness for more.

God longs and listens for his children’s praise…every praise..

Every Praise
By Hezekiah Walker

 Every praise is to our God,
Every word of worship with one accord,
Every praise, every praise is to our God…

May we find something to be thankful for this holiday season.
May we see God’s hand of blessing in whatever is served at our
Table of Thanksgiving.

May we praise:

In every circumstance,
Give Thanks…
1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

May we always see God “good”.
May we see God faithful; see Him taking care of his children in every situation.

Remember, and know deep down that God is good all the time.
Regardless the blessings or lack of appearance of blessings,
Our plates are full,
our cups overflow at our
Table of Thanksgiving.
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applesofgoldencouragement

Author Lori A Alicea and her beloved husband David of 29 years thank you for sharing a moment of your day with them at Apples of Gold Encouragement. It is their desire you experience their heart for family, love, encouragement and God through the words God has put on Lori’s heart to write. They are hopeful you discover a few treasures of encouragement, realizing we all share common threads in our lives. Be blessed in your day.

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