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By: Steffanie Hobelman
Blessed Together
Psalm 9:1 “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Yes, I love to eat, so the fact that I get to savor some of my favorite dishes, like a deep-fried turkey, stuffing, and my mom’s sweet potato casserole, adds to my enjoyment of this holiday. What has really solidified my feeling is the tradition of going around the table and sharing our thanks to God for what He has done for us in the past year.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Cut to November 2018, which became the first Thanksgiving we had to spend without my mother. She had spent many years battling cancer and, two days before her birthday and a week before Thanksgiving, she got to go home and share her thanks to God directly, in-person. We could’ve skipped our tradition that year because we were right at the beginning of the grieving process; however, I think sharing our thanks truly reminded us that God is there through it all.
Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
In the years since mom passed, I have pondered what would be an appropriate way to celebrate her birthday. A birthday party just doesn’t seem to best reflect who she was; someone who cared for others and was always willing to pitch in and help.
Cut to October 2022, and I am sifting through an email from Holy Cross about upcoming events.
BAM!
November 19th. (Mom’s birthday)
Come hand out the Thanksgiving baskets.
Not a coincidence; definitely God shining a light on where He wanted us to be. So, I signed up my brother, my daughter, and myself. They didn’t even get a choice; however, they were both as excited as I was about the opportunity to do something in Mom’s memory and to be able to minister to others in our community.
Cut to November 19th, we happily arrived at church, excited about everything that God was going to do through us. As soon as I got out of the car, a young man got out of his and asked for details about our Food Pantry.
Lesson learned: As a member of Holy Cross, I need to be more well-versed about all our different ministries, so I can be better prepared with answers.
This young man, though, was more than happy to chat with me while I swiftly brought up our website to locate information for him. During our conversation, he shared that he and his wife just had a baby, his job is the city’s roads, so his income has taken a hit with the colder weather arriving. Exactly why we offer this ministry!
Once inside the church, we got to work and joined the other volunteers to put all the bags of food together while wonderful music played in the background. As we worked, we all commented on each food item and how these families would be blessed by having this on their table.
The time came to let the community in to receive the bags. My family & I were assigned one of the last stations, where we handed out potatoes and reminded them to go shop the winter clothing. How great it was to share a big smile, a “Happy Thanksgiving,” and feel God’s peace and love cover these families!
The comments the families shared with me included:
“I’m so glad you all are still doing this.”
“Thank you so much for doing this!”
“You mean I can pick out a coat for each of my kids? What an unexpected blessing!”
“May God continue to bless you all.”
What a privilege this was to participate with Jennifer Seeley and team in this much-needed ministry. I am thankful that we at Holy Cross hear the need in our community and band together to answer God’s calling. My family will definitely be back next year, and we hope to see you there, too!
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing Holy Cross to be a beacon for those in our community who need some extra help. May those we fed at Thanksgiving know that you love and care for them always. Amen.
