But thanks be to
God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us
spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 2 Corinthians 2:14
As
long as I can remember our family always celebrated every Holiday two
times….same day, just a meal at both sets of grandparents. You see, my Ma Maw
and Pa Paw (Wood) lived just next door to our home in Silsbee, Texas. There was
a grassy field that separated our homes and that field had a “pig trail” where
the grass was beaten down making a neat trail for me, my brother and sister. We
played in that field and hid in that field many happy days as children. Oddly
enough, on Thanksgiving & Christmas, we loaded up the car to carry the
family and special food for the celebration…about 100 yards. That was very
important because when we finished that meal we loaded up the car and drove
across town to celebrate with Maw Maw and Paw
Paw (Sparks).
Our
families were big and wonderful. The Wood family enjoyed the usual cuisine with
special emphasis on chicken and dumplings and Pecan Pies! It was there as a
child we learned that the adults ate first and the kids ate last…the adults got
the white meat (chicken breast) and the children always got the dark meat
(chicken legs). I was convinced that all chickens were JUST dark meat…all legs!
We
always prayed together and enjoyed some football in the yard and some singing
around the piano at the Wood home. These folks appreciated family and loved the
Lord. We had to hurry so we could drive across town to celebrate with the
Sparks family. They had the same wonderful food with turkey & dressing and
coconut pie or banana pudding. It didn’t
matter if you got too full, either. You ate any way!!!
The Sparks family was better at
football and didn’t have a piano…no singing there.
I have nothing but the fondest
of memories of those special days and rejoice that both sets of grandparents
lived in the same town.
I knew my grandparents, my aunts
and uncles and all my cousins. God blessed us with godly family members and we
learned about faith and thankfulness from all these folks.
Today
I am thankful for the Mom and Dad that taught me just how important family was
and is.
Scripture to Claim:
Oh give thanks
to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! 1
Chronicles 16:8
Submitted by Gary Wood
