The Greatest Thanksgiving

      "Are you going grocery shopping today?" my husband, Roy asked when I picked up the telephone.

      "I plan to," I answered.

      Thanksgiving was only a couple days away.  Everyone in our family would be coming to our house.  My funds were limited, therefore my box of coupons awaited me in the car.  I knew I had to be creative in my shopping that day.  I had to stretch every dollar.

      For a few seconds, Roy sat silently on the other end of the line.  "Why do you ask?" I uttered, fearing what he might say.

      "Nancy, there's a family with a half dozen kids that will not have anything to eat for Thanksgiving.  The little one is only five-years-old."

      "So what are you saying?" I whispered.

      "While you're at the store could you possibly buy something for them?"  Roy's words echoed in my heart.  GroceriesŠ a five-year-oldŠ eight in the familyŠ My head began to spin thinking about the fifty dollars I had reserved for our family's Thanksgiving dinner.

      In the back of my mind I counted the hungry guests who would be coming to our house for dinner.  I put my head down on my desk, already feeling defeated.

      There's no way possible, I thought.  But the compassion I heard in my husband's voice struck a nerve inside me.

      "Sure," I replied.  "But only if God helps."

      "Thanks, sweetheart," Roy whispered.  "Just do what you can." He then hung up the telephone.  I finished my work and prayed all the way to the nearest grocery store.

      I entered the parking lot.  I noticed a big sign in the grocery store window:  Turkeys - 29 cents a pound.

      "This is the place, Lord" I whispered.  I grabbed my box of coupons, went inside, secured two buggies, and headed to the frozen foods.  The turkeys were indeed on sale, but I discovered one big problem.  When I read the sign posted on the freezer door my heart sank.  "Limit one."

      "But I need two," I uttered to myself.  I decided to find the manager.  I explained the problem.  He made an exception.

      After tossing a turkey in each buggy, I began my shopping fury. It was amazing how many buy-one, get-one free items were being featured that day.  The first item went into one buggy.  The free item went in the other.  In addition, I had all the right coupons to get exactly what both families needed for a hearty Thanksgiving dinner.  I proceeded to the register and held my breath while the cashier rang up my groceries.

      To my surprise, I had enough money.  I was even able to purchase a package of cookies for the five-year-old who had stolen my heart, even though I had never met her.

      Later that afternoon, Roy and I made a special delivery to a home filled with children of all ages.  I will never forget the smiles on the six kids' faces, as they made several trips from my car carrying numerous bags of groceries inside.

      This event reminded me of a story.  Even though He only had a few loaves and fishes, Jesus multiplied them and fed five thousand people.  And to top it off, there was food left over.  I wondered if God was doing the same thing that day.

      By far, that was the greatest Thanksgiving Day of my life.  My entire family shared a hearty meal with us.  We had plenty to eat. We even had enough food left over for the evening meal.

      That afternoon, when I had time to think about what had happened, I imagined a home, not far from where I lived.  There was a mother and a father and six children sitting around the kitchen table, laughing and rejoicing.  They enjoyed the same meal that our family had shared together that day.

      Then I realized that miracles happen when we step out in faith and in steps God.  For with us, some things are impossible.  But with God, all things are possible.

~ Nancy B. Gibbs ~
Daiseydood @ aol.com

Nancy is an author, a religion columnist, and an inspirational speaker. She speaks at many women and senior events.  Nancy's newest book, Under the Mistletoe, consists of 25 Christmas Love Stories -- one to read every day from December 1st to December 25th.   You can learn about it at Nancy's website here:  http://www.nancybgibbs.com/

[ by: Nancy B. Gibbs Copyright © 2006 (Daiseydood @ aol.com) -- {used with permission} ]