Just Gravy!

And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

Probably twenty years ago, Randy and I were sitting at a table with a new member of the church for Wednesday Night Dinner. The conversation was informational as we shared backgrounds and sought to get to know each other. It was a custom of ours to reach out and make new folks feel at home.

Toward the end of our conversation, he looked at me and said, “Diane, I grew up a Methodist, and I know from experience that our ministers are itinerant and move from church to church to serve. I understand that you have been here for fourteen years. How will you feel when the bishop sends you to a new appointment?” The question was sobering for me, and I admit it was hard to answer. Finally (as all eyes turned toward me), I said, “After we had been here for eight years, I began to feel the dread of a move because even though things were growing exponentially, there is still that vow that must be honored to go where sent. I prayed that God would just give me enough years here to get my kids through high school. He did that, and now, all the rest is just gravy.”

The idiom “the rest is just gravy” has come to mean that the rest of the journey or process, etc. will be very straightforward or easy to complete or accomplish. It also means that any additional elements will be an unexpected and an unrequired bonus.

God saw fit to leave us for fourteen more years, and the growth in programs, ministry, missions, and numbers was phenomenal. During those years, the vision of the church expanded as we began to do even more for the community and the world through programs and service.

Growing up in our small South Georgia town, gravy was almost a requirement at the meals. We had sausage gravy, brown gravy, sawmill gravy, red eye gravy, turkey gravy, roast beef gravy, giblet gravy, and on and on. Gravy at our house was usually served on the side even though it was a staple at most meals. It was rich and considered a bonus to the rice, potatoes, or meat served as the main course.

I read somewhere that we as Christians need to add gravy to our Thanksgiving meal this year, but this gravy should be the gravy of gratitude. Sometimes we tend to only the see the problems in life and ignore the blessings, and as a result there are a growing number of people who are unhappy and have an ungrateful attitude no matter what they have. Gravy and gratitude go hand in hand, so it would behoove us all to cultivate a spirit of Thanksgiving gratitude this year.

I love the hymn Count Your Blessings by Johnson Oatman, Jr. He encourages us to Count Your Blessings name them one by one; Count Your Blessings, see what God has done. So, how can we experience the gravy of gratitude this Thanksgiving and all year long?

First, dwell on what God has given us. He pours out His love, forgiveness, healing, compassion, and protection on a daily basis. Secondly, think about what God has not given us. We have all sinned and fallen short, but God doesn’t give us the punishment we deserve. Finally, think about what God has yet to give us. He has promised to love us from everlasting to everlasting no matter what!

It’s important to take time to name the things for which we are thankful and reflect on them. Too often we take for granted what we have and dwell on what we don’t. Even though we live an abundant life, we always seem to have a desire for more. Heaven on earth is found when we put aside the worries and just dwell on the gravy.

This Thanksgiving let’s take the time to remember those in our lives (past, present, and future) and give thanks for them and all the things they have given of themselves to help us grow and become who we are today. Many of us have had a tough year this past year, but there is still much for which to be thankful and celebrate!

This year when you load your plate with turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings, don’t forget to add the gravy of gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. The Doxology by Thomas Ken