It’s the season of thanks and giving. Thoughts of those who are less fortunate come to my mind—such as the people of Ukraine, the poor, and those who are suffering from significant illness.
With all that I have and am so deeply grateful for, I’m also surprised to find myself in such dire need. Yet that is what this season teaches us: we are never all on only one side of the equation—we are always both the givers and the ones in need. It’s uncomfortable for me to be in the position of explaining to complete strangers how much I need a new kidney. It seems like such a big ask, yet I’m hopeful that someone I don’t know yet will be moved to meet this moment and come forward with a great gift.
As a young first grade teacher, I wrote a play based on the scripture passage that begins, “Unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain…” (John:12:24-26) My students were the actors as the grains of wheat. The hero of the play was the seed who took the risk of going underground but by this very act that seed began feeling the excitement of new life and produced many new wheat sheaves. I think this season gives all of us the opportunity to find meaning in the act of giving of what we truly have to offer. It also calls upon us to trust that in this circle of life someone will be there to hear our need.
I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with my family who live nearby and hope that you also will be with your loved ones for this day. The following words of the songwriter Joni Mitchell capture the spirit of how we all adapt to the ups and downs of life and keep going round.
“And the seasons, they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return, we can only look
Behind, from where we came
And go round and round and round, in the circle game
And go round and round and round, in the circle game”