Now is the time of year when many of us begin to reflect upon our families’ seasonal traditions.
“Tradition. Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof.”
When I was in college, I played the role of Chava, one of Tevye’s daughters in Fiddler on the Roof; and I learned that tradition was a very important part of Tevye’s family. I loved (and still love) those show tunes, which become automatic brain worms whenever I think of them.
“Sunrise, sunset. Sunrise, sunset. Swiftly fly the years. One season following another, laiden with happiness and tears.”
As I reflect upon the songs and memories of that musical, I’m taken back to the memories and traditions of my own family.
Growing up, I usually spent Thanksgiving “in the country” with my grandparents. We were traditionally blessed with an abundance of good food, including my Aunt Bobbie’s pecan pie and my grandmother’s sweet potato casserole, two of my favorites. Those years of family traditions have swiftly flown by; and yes, the seasons have been a roller coaster ride of both good and bad emotions.
During this season of Thanksgiving, I’d like to encourage myself and my readers to focus on the happiness, not the tears. Let’s focus on those traditions that bring us joy.
One such family learns the benefits of seeing the positive side of life when Grandma Grateful comes to visit. In The Grumbles, written by Tricia Goyer and Amy Parker and illustrated by Monica de Rivas, a family of five fall into the habit of daily grumbling—an expensive water bill, too many piles of laundry, a brother and sister who forget to share, a baby with lots of needs.
However, when Grandma Grateful comes to visit, she exudes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—all those fruits of the spirit which remind her family to be grateful in all things.
Another of Amy Parker’s books, God Is Giving, also reminds us that those gifts come from God.
“Our God is giving
Giving all that we have,
All we will ever need . . .
From a bountiful table of food made with love
To the promise of a dirt-covered seed.”
In her devotion “Fruit for Your Children,” Anne Graham Lotz says these gifts are fruits that should be bountifully present in our homes. She asks,
“What kind of ‘fruit’ are your children eating within your home? Does their diet consist of nagging, complaining, anger, bickering, gossip, selfishness, and rudeness? Or are they learning to be loving when someone is not lovable, to have joy when life is not fun, to have peace in the midst of pressure, to be kind when treated roughly? How easy do you make it for your children to eat healthy?”—The Joy in My Heart by Anne Graham Lotz
When we repeatedly serve ourselves and others a diet of healthy fruit, those fruits instilled in us through the Holy Spirit, we create a rich tradition that can be shared from one season to another.
“Tradition is priceless, whether you have a small family, a large family, or no family. Tradition doesn’t have to be logical; it only has to emphasize the light of Christ and his everlasting love.”—Lori Copeland
My mother traditionally made fruit salad for our family Thanksgiving celebrations. She spent hours in preparation of this special treat enjoyed by most members of my family. I may have been the lone exception (because I didn’t care for bananas). I also wasn’t a fan of mixing the fruits together until their flavors blended into a taste not quite tangy, not quite tropical, not quite truth-be-told.
However, most of my relatives relished the goodness of this fruit mixture and always went back for seconds during football half times.
After my mother’s death many years ago, my sister took over the tradition of making fruit salad for our family Thanksgivings. Each year I notice the time and effort and love that go into its preparation, and each year I am happy to see this dish continue to delight others every time they go back to refill their fruit bowls.
In the Parable of the Sower, our hearts, the soil in which the fruit seeds are planted, determine the fruit we will bear. The fruits of the Spirit are much the same. We need to savor them and go back for extra helpings whenever we are running low.
As we approach the holiday season, let’s think about what we as families are serving others and ingesting ourselves. Are we feasting on a beautiful blend of fruits inspired by the Holy Spirit, or are we loading up on unhealthy food and feelings that only serve to harm ourselves and others?
Let’s turn our grumbles into gratitude this month and in the seasons to follow.
When great aunt Gertie grumbles and gripes about the gravy being too thick this year, send her a smile across the table and tell her you love her. Maybe start a new tradition of showing your thankfulness for the fruits of the spirit in your life.
May your Thanksgiving fruit bowls be filled to overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
“Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation; you do not find it among gross people.”–Samuel Johnson
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”—Aesop
“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.”—William Shakespeare
“I thank you God for this most amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of the trees and a blue dream of sky.”—E. E. Cummings
Hebrews 10:24; Romans 15:13; Ephesians 4:29; Ezra 3:11
