Thanks is due the Most High

Just the other night, Brack and I were talking about something we have been waiting for, something that has a big impact on our life. The agony of waiting made us worry. And I said, “You know what? If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. I’ve tested it several times in my life before, and all we need to do is to stop worrying and learn how to surrender to Him fully. That is my problem, up to now, I still don’t know how to give up and leave things to Him.” And he answered, “ I heard of it too, a coworker told me about his own experience of lifting up everything to the Lord, just when he realized that everything is beyond his control, he did a complete surrender, and it worked.” Then we slept the night away…Two days later, the worries are gone, our prayers heard, what we asked for was granted…it does work…hence…THANKSGIVING, two grateful hearts.

Back where I came from, Thanksgiving, like Halloween is not observed at all. Rather, Christmas is the most joyous event, Christians, mostly Catholics (I am), are so thankful for. It is the day Jesus Christ was born (by the ways, it is the day Abraham, our eldest was born). But I am in the US now and I learned to embrace Thanksgiving dearly, well, it’ll be forever second to Christmas for me. I know why and how to be thankful, but I must admit, I did some readings to know more about Thanksgiving. And articles, like the transcript from As American as Pumpkin Pie by Karin Goldstein below is most helpful.

A November afternoon, 1910… Two immigrant factory workers are eating lunch. “Marcella,” says one woman to her friend, “why do we have this Thursday as a day off?” “I don’t know,” her friend replies. “Something about the chicken holiday.” This is how the mother of one Plymouth resident was introduced to Thanksgiving.

This tradition of American culture must have seemed bewildering to newcomers. As reformers pondered how to teach new immigrants how to become good Americans, many looked to examples from the past. Since the early 20th century, the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving have been used to teach both new Americans and school children about American history and values. This is just one of many ways that people have looked at the holiday over time.

Prior to the mid-1800s, Thanksgiving had nothing to do with the 1621 harvest celebration, Pilgrims or Native People. Thanksgiving started as a traditional New England holiday that celebrated family and community. It descended from Puritan days of fasting and festive rejoicing. The governor of each colony or state declared a day of thanksgiving each autumn, to give thanks for general blessings. As New Englanders moved west in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, they took their holiday with them. After the harvest, governors across the country proclaimed individual Thanksgivings, and families traveled back to their original homes for family reunions, church services and large meals.

So now, what should I be thankful for? A lot, lot, really…I could go on and on…but in order to facilitate reading I’ll be brief.

For the good blessings – this life, me and my family borrowed. My Family, my mother, my relatives, my grandparents (though in heaven I could still feel their care), and my husband’s side of the family – they are all so good and supportive, like my side of course. The material things, my friends, my bosses (except for one, I have always been fortunate to work for such good bosses), my coworkers, acquaintances, and everyone who makes life more pleasant.

For the “not so good” blessings – these are people, events, and occasions which are not so good, but taught me life’s most important lessons. It expounded my experience, enlightened me, in effect, made me a better person. Truly, God works in mysterious ways…

In summation, everything is good…for God is good and all praises and thanks are due Him.


So we’ll go for the turkey, feast on the food, chat with relatives and friends, what a wonderful day! I love Thanksgiving!
"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven."-- Johannes A. Gaertner

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on a night like this...

'Ever drove on a holloween night? On a rush hour? Downtown Los Angeles and its environs was horrible last Monday. A lot of drivers seemed out of synch - driving like frantics, slower or faster than usual, ignoring street signs.

But stupidity is not a handicap and no matter how broad-minded americans are, these drivers are really unforgiveable. Putting it on an appropriate theme - the undead rose from underneath to terrorize the city with their horrific driving styles. Makes me wonder how these people passed their behind-the-wheel tests.

The scene is totally like driving on a rush hour when the rain is starting to pour. Almost four years here and I still couldn't find a logical explanation why drivers in the city creates a big fuzz out of a soft touch of nature as showers or downpours. The streets are not only jammed by confused drivers, but accidents involving vehicle crashes are also a common sight. Why can't these ferocious drivers compose themselves and adjust to a very slight deviation from the ordinary?

Why would I flash a signal light to make my intention? Why would I regulary scan my left, right, and rear mirrors? Why look like a fool making a full stop on a full stop sign (yes I even count 1,2,3 simultaenously with scanning) before proceeding? All these safety techniques, obedience with rules and regulations, and nineteen years of driving experience is no match to a fast approaching maniac inconsiderately cutting you from behind leaving you with a deep sigh of relief that you and the vehicle you are driving, which is still being amortized, were not hurt.

Oh well...they say racing is living, everything else is just waiting.


When Brack reached home I asked why he was late, and he replied..."the streets were so bad...blah...blah...blah..." Looks like we have another complainer here.

Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you and scorn in the one ahead. Mac McCleary

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