thankful to serve

Like most American families, ours gathered around the matriarch/patriarch house to share a Thanksgiving meal that gave us plenty to be grateful for this year. Like most of those same families, pretty much the only time every member of the clan is in the same room is when the prayer is offered and the digging in begins. After each Bishop has taken their portion out of the bowl or off of the bird, everyone scatters around the house to find a place to settle and eat.

The football fans find the tube with the games, the kids park in front of the cartoons. Some grown ups sit in the kitchen, others in the dining room. Clusters of family are scattered here and there - everyone sorted by their interests and entertainment. Not really the Norman Rockwell scene we'd all like to emulate, but the family is together, and that is good.

This year was even a little more scattered than usual. My daughter Casie, my youngest brother Chris and I decided to try and give this year by feeding others before stuffing ourselves. The Salvation Army typically feeds a hearty Thanksgiving meal to over 500 family members and loners in the Lexington area at their Main Street shelter downtown. So, the three of us volunteered to help. We signed up to serve tables, greet the guests and honor them like the precious jewels they are. I ended up singing eight or ten songs to one of the most beautiful bouquets of people I've ever had the opportunity to share a room with.

As I stood on that little platform and made my music, I watched Casie and several other teenage volunteers learn the value of life at every level and background. Casie told me later that even the migrant workers whom she couldn't understand were able to communicate their appreciation to her and the others who treated them with unbiased dignity, compassion and respect. Several widows and widowers who'd lost their companions since the last holiday season didn't want to eat alone, so they volunteered to serve others this year. Whole families who appreciate their own fortunate circumstances decided this year to bless others who've not known like comforts. Even Governor Ernie Fletcher and his wife Glenna left the Governor's Mansion, donned red aprons and became servants to a room full of people who most likely don't even vote.

The Salvation Army truly lives compassion and servant-hood. I have such enormous admiration and respect for anyone and any organization that acts and gives as Christ-like as it preaches. Every year they plan, organize and implement a simple idea that is a very complex task. And they trust that God will provide all of the parts to make a bounty like this available to those who would consider a KFC snack feast enough.

The three of us eventually made it back to the family table. But we were certainly able to enjoy our own heaping plates more fully because of our own experience as servants to others. I hope your Thanksgiving was just as blessed.