Grumpy Thanksgiving

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17 (NIV)

On Thanksgiving, we always have a big meal at my mom and dad’s at Noon and then, laze away the afternoon. This year, because oldest son had to work (let me just say that is so wrong and so un-American for stores to be open on Thanksgiving), our family moved the Thanksgiving meal to 5:00 so he could join us. Even though I generally love Thanksgiving, for some reason, I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Maybe because I got up at 5:45 AM when the dogs woke me up to go out and then, I couldn’t go back to sleep. I was worried about youngest son who had been out all night. It’s not that he hasn’t stayed out all night before, but he told us he would be home late, not never. So, I imagined him lying in a ditch somewhere since he drives a car like he’s driving a fire truck, fast and furious. When I wasn’t worrying about him, I was fretting over something that happened at work yesterday. An hour later, I got up and texted youngest son and the dogs thought I was up for good so that was the end of sleep. I went out to the garage and started working on some glass. By the time youngest son texted me back and then, came home, I had about six projects cut out and ready to fuse and my work space rearranged and clean. And I’d worked myself into a grumpy mood. Husband woke up grumpy as well. Probably because I was texting youngest son under the covers. So, we just stayed out of each other’s way as much as possible. I kept thinking, this is just not right, this is Thanksgiving. I would start making a list of everything I had to be thankful for, but pretty soon, I was back being grumpy again. Mid afternoon, I was working on some casseroles when my parents called and asked for some help with the turkey. I asked husband to go so I could keep an eye on the oven and he refused. By the time I got back, I was no longer grumpy, but downright mad. When he sarcastically asked if there was going to be anything edible at my folks, I lost my temper and told him he could just stay home and eat peanut butter for all I was concerned. Which wasn’t nice. Really. After all, it is Thanksgiving. Later, I apologized and said I was sorry I yelled at him. He did one of his usual aggravating responses of “Yeah, I’m sorry you yelled at me too.” No, “You’re Forgiven” or “I’m sorry for being grumpy.” And then, I had a choice. Would I continue to ruin the day or let it go? So, I walked away and started counting my blessings again, this time in earnest. Psalm 7 is a list of all the things that David fears and all the people that are aggravating him. But, he ends by making a choice, “I will give thanks.” So, will I. Happy Thanksgiving!