FIRST THINGS FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD by Brett Clemmer, President, Man in the Mirror When I was in my early 20s, I got a job supervising a group detention home for adolescents in New York. These were ten tough street kids—boys 3 and girls—mischievous, defiant and stubbornly self-reliant. Authentic emotions were rare, and they would often “shut down” as a means of self-protection. And then Thanksgiving came. It was my first holiday in the home. I talked to the staff and we all agreed to bring in a dish for the kids and have a big Thanksgiving dinner, including those who weren’t on duty. The big day came. We made a turkey in the house and covered the table with homemade dishes. It was my first Thanksgiving with macaroni and cheese and collard greens, and most everyone else’s first Thanksgiving with sauerkraut, a Clemmer family Thanksgiving tradition. (“Where are the hot dogs?” asked one kid.) For many of the kids, this was the most peaceful and complete holiday meal they had ever enjoyed. As we sat around the large picnic style table in the dining room, I witnessed something I’ll never forget: One by one, each child realized that the staff had brought them something from their family traditions. Most of them were off duty, so they were sacrificing time with their own family to be there. The table got very quiet. One of the older kids looked around the table and caught my eye. “Will you pray for the meal?” he asked. Immediately, everyone folded their hands, bowed their heads and closed their eyes, waiting expectantly. My voice caught in my throat, and one of the older staff members said, “I’d like to do it.” She prayed a prayer like she was in her black gospel church. When the “Amen” (finally) came, it was as if the weight of the world had been lifted off of these kids’ shoulders. Suddenly they were laughing and teasing, oohing and aahing over the food, and acting like, well, normal kids. The generosity and kindness of the staff had broken through their hard protective shells of indifference, and they could let down their guard. Jesus’ love and sacrifice does that for us, too. It softens our hearts and allows us to be vulnerable. When we help men make Jesus the Lord of their lives, we are bringing God’s Kingdom to bear here “on earth, as it is in heaven.” So enjoy your Thanksgiving in the Kingdom of God. And may His love and sacrifice be ever present in your mind this holiday season.
20514 Man in Mirror
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