Read Colossians 2:6-7

As a child, I always looked forward to Thanksgiving, because it meant that Christmas was just a month away. I had no idea what my mom, aunts, and grandmother went through to make certain that everyone had their favorite holiday food. I knew beyond a doubt that my grandmother would make several pecan pies, because that is just what she did. It never occurred to me that she had to shell the pecans and pick out the perfect halves before she could make those wonderful pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

When I was about 10 years old, my grandmother started letting me help her make the pecan pies and her other holiday specialties. Working alongside my grandmother in her kitchen was not only a learning experience, but a joy that I looked forward to and never took for granted. She was patient in teaching me how to measure and how to mix. I knew I had arrived when she allowed me to make my first pie all by myself. She had provided the teaching and knew it was time for me to do it myself.

When I married, my grandmother gave me a notebook containing her recipes for all my favorite foods. Though she is no longer with me, every time I prepare one of her recipes, I am so thankful for her patient teaching and unlimited encouragement.

As we enter this holiday season, may we all remember to take time to be thankful for the greatest gift of all, the gift of eternal life through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.