Add this entry to Your Favorites | [0] Favorites [8] Comments

Please wait...

There's a line in Billy Joel's song “Leningrad” I love. It says “I was born in forty-nine a cold war kid in McCarthy time.” Since I came along that year I can identify with the phrase. Many of the lyrics in Joel's well-crafted song whisk me back in time.

Sometimes I like to remember other places, other times. Occasionally my mental excursions make their way to Thanksgiving 1969, when my family drove six hundred miles to spend the holiday with our northern loved ones. We traveled to South Jersey where we lived from 1952 to1963.

I come from a large tribe. With twenty-eight first cousins on my father's side alone we always had plenty of players for a spirited game of baseball on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Then we'd switch to football for a third Thursday in November I-ate-too-much-turkey workout. For eleven years we spent those three holidays with fifty or sixty relatives, usually at my Uncle Herb and Aunt Jean's in Williamstown, NJ. It was fun. It was loud. It was unforgettable.

I know you treasure holiday memories, too. We could call them heirlooms of the mind. Fond memories warm the heart like a wood fire warms the body.

Americans have many things to be thankful for. Among them are family, friends, and our Constitutional right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These gifts were Divinely appointed, the Constitution is merely a written guarantee. When we have family, friends, and good health, we're rich indeed.

I'm thankful I was born in the USA. In spite of all that's wrong with modern society we still live in the greatest country on earth. There's never been a civilization or a culture like ours. People die trying to get to our shores and across our borders. God has blessed America bountifully. I believe He's given us much because we share it. The United States provides more aid to other countries than any nation in the world.

One thing we possess and often take for granted is freedom. Liberty is quite a concept. Nobody has more than an American citizen. We're free to travel, free to dream, free to work, and free to play. We can freely use our mind and talents, and when we succeed we're rewarded for it.

We can preach. Pray. Sing. A person can even stand on the roof and shout at the top of their lungs if they want, provided it's not too early or too late!

It's worth repeating, I'm glad I was born in the USA. But I'm even more grateful I'm born again. I accepted Christ when I was seven, in the bedroom of our small house on South Ave. in Pitman, New Jersey. My father, a Baptist preacher, led me to the Lord. I'm sure you remember where and when you asked Jesus into your heart. If you haven't right now is the right time.

During this holiday season I'll try to count my blessings more and my problems less. I want to focus on God better by praying and reading His word faithfully. When I do, I always find joy and peace closely follow whatever the situation in my life.

I'll admit, it's hard to focus on God at times. There are many distractions in this temporal life. The world, the flesh, and the devil are opposed to someone seeking the Lord. But remember, He's bigger than all three put together!

In closing, Crossroads sends a heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Below are the words to a song I wrote chronicling the time my family went to Jersey for one final Thanksgiving in the Garden State. Thirty-five years have passed. Many who were there have crossed over now, including two cousins close to my age.

Like Billy Joel's song did, “Thanksgiving Day” takes me back. Back to a sweet moment I shared with the people who helped shape my life in a positive way.

I hope the lyrics trigger some of your own family memories. Cherish them as you would precious jewels. Lock them in your heart and hide the key. ~

Thanksgiving Day

The autumn harvest time is through
November's come and brought us to
A day our labor's cease
On this day we've set aside
Fill us with a pilgrim pride
And grant us peace

You've blessed us and kept us
Safe until when
We could gather together again
To bow at our table and gratefully say
“Thank you Lord” on Thanksgiving Day

Our family portrait comes to life
Jimmy's got a brand new wife
They almost missed their flight
There's cousins Gary, Gale and Jan
And Auntie Carol and Uncle Stan
They had to drive all night

Repeat Chorus

My appetite awoke at dawn
When grandmom put the turkey on
Her apple pie's are such a treat
Now grandpop's gonna' carve that bird
As he does he'll say a word
Then he'll bless the food and say “Let's eat”

When this special day is done
I'll bow before the evening sun
And my prayer will be

Bless them and keep them

Safe until when
We can gather together again
Watch over our children
Light up their way
Help us make each day
A thanks,
A thanks giving day

Copyright Jim Stover Music, BMI

Reader Comments

Add Comments

If you are seeing this form you are not a Member or have not logged in. Why not consider becoming a Member?

Membership allows you to have a prepared signature of your choice applied to every comment you make, as well as the ability to choose an avatar to display next to your name to help identify your posts. Members are also given opportunity to vote weekly in our Weekly Chart as well as special Members Only contests, polls and giveaways during the year. If you are already a member, login here, otherwise please register here.

**Note: Forums membership is a seperate membership.

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:
Comment:
	Remember my personal information
	Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please enter the word you see in the image below: