This is the first year we had Thanksgiving at our house. It was a big feat to do the turkey and a couple of sides. I am not just saying this, my wife made one of the most tender, juicest turkeys I have ever eaten. Her green bean casserole gets a blue ribbon in my book too!
We learned how hard it is to host a Thanksgiving dinner. Several piles of pots, pans, plates, cups, forks, knives, and spoons. Then, there are more plates and silverware from the desserts afterwards. Yes, I am having flash backs from the Big Event!
Maybe it's the 'man' or ol' bachelor in me. Looking at the process, (yes, losing focus of being thankful), I thought to myself, "Why couldn't we just use paper plates?"
Do you know how easy it would be to use paper plates-- or how about plasticware? Now, I don't want any blog comments from the "green" activists. P.S. They make plastic cups too! It would be so cool to have a paper and plastic Thanksgiving! (Now my wife would argue this point).
Paper plates are under-estimated. They aren't like they used to be 10-15 years ago. They aren't like the old, white, flimsy paper plates with ribbed rims- they are much more durable. They even have fancy floral patterns, which would match the thanksgiving motif. They even have faux silver or gold lining around the rim of the paper plates for the more "upscaley" gatherings.
You don't have to scrape off your leftover scraps. You don't have to wash them. When you are done eating; all you do is toss it in the trash. Same thing after dessert is served- just grab another paper plate, eat, and toss.
Paper plates are cheap and are easily disposed of. Nice porcelain plates or fine china are not so easily thrown into the trash.
How do you think people in our country feel today?
Do they feel like paper plates or fine china?
Do they feel valued, taken good care of, with their attributes being shown off to family and guests?
Or, do they feel cheapened, used, and tossed away?
There are so many people who feel like paper plates. They've been called names. They've been betrayed. Devalued. Maybe they feel cheapened because of their own poor choices of abusing their bodies with promiscuous sex, alcohol, or drugs. They want to give up on life. Maybe they feel so worthless inwardly and by those around them; they feel suicidal. There is hope for them!
Ask yourself this question: "Are you a paper plate or fine china?"
Let me answer that question for you. You are priceless, fine china. God doesn't make paper plates; He only makes masterpieces! You may not feel like it inside and when you look in the mirror, you may not see it. Allow God's words to convince you today!
You are special on the deepest molecular level.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
God thought you up. He dreamed about you. What you would look like- How beautiful your smile would be. He instilled in you gifts to glorify Him and to inspire those around you. God gave you a sense of humor and has filled your very being with love.
Verse 16 goes on to say, "your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
The Bible says God planned out a fulfilling life for you before you were ever born! God, the Creator, thought you were so important that He breathed life into you- He brought you into existance.
Verse 17 and 18, "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you."
He knows every inch of you- inside and out. He is wooed by you. God is happy with the way you are made. It is up to us to use the gifts He has given us and to find the purpose He has for our lives.
Like the Mastercard commercial:
Facelift: $10,000
Tummy tuck: $15,000
Realizing you are wonderfully and beautifully made: PRICELESS!
I Corinthians 6 says, "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
Somewhere along the way you lost focus. You started believing the lies. You began to lower your standards to match what you were feeling inside.
You feel worthless because you have separated yourself from God. You have allowed the negative comments from those around you to control the lies in your mind. Jesus gave up everything, because He finds you priceless.
Honor God today! Tell Him, as hard as it may be, how thankful you are for all the great, silly and unique attributes He has formed in you - inwardly and outwardly.
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