Thoughts on The Great Thanksgiving Banquet

It's Thanksgiving Day morning, and I am alone in the house for a little while. Joel, of course, is working, and Ashlea and Ty just left to go to the grocery store. So, I'm seizing the opportunity to update my blog. I came away from the Great Thanksgiving Banquet last night with several thoughts. Overall, the day went very smoothly...the best yet according to several people. But there always seems to be room for improvement, so I find myself making mental notes for next year. It's somewhat frustrating to me that this was my third GTB, and there are still wrinkles to be worked out. Maybe that will always be the case since there are so many factors beyond my control.

The staff was rejoicing for Doug and the job he did in overseeing the preparation of the food. Doug came through our discipleship program, and has been working in the kitchen for several years, but this year was his first GTB as kitchen manager. He was nervous about the daunting task, but everything came together very well, and the food was excellent! Doug had a couple of guys that volunteered to help with the cooking, and I know he appreciated their experience.

Each year, as I watch the people who come for the GTB, I am saddened that so many of them have little interest in the Lord and even grumble about having to attend a praise service. Some even come through our doors obviously intoxicated or high, and yesterday, one man was doing cocaine during the chapel service! We know our guests tolerate the service in order to receive a sack of groceries and a turkey. They are only interested in receiving food for their bodies, not their souls. That made me think about the crowds of people who followed after Jesus to receive "the goodies." Still, I am thankful that we have to opportunity to present the gospel to several hundred people, and we pray God will work in those lives according to His perfect will. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13.