I sat across from my plate, stomach doing summersaults. My abuela’s hard-won labor laid before us, the smell of rice and beans, pernil and pie, all the things she knew we loved— decades of meaning ladled and diced, set on her last good china, all the family together and the years we lost between. I...
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It’s Thanksgiving here in the United States, where both TWI and a large portion of our readers are based. For those of you feasting today, Happy Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving begs the simple question: “To whom?” If we give thanks, that implies an object. Who is the recipient of our thanksgiving? For ancient Israel, the phrase “They...
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Let’s play a game. I’ll quote a Bible passage and omit the last word. See if you can fill in the blank. (If you already know this verse, this game loses its effect. And no cheating: Do not open your Bible for this game.) “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in...
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However and wherever you may be celebrating Thanksgiving this year, take some time to reflect on God’s goodness and provision using this prayer from The Valley of Vision: O MY GOD, Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be,...
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“And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.” — Edward Winslow, December 11, 1621, Mayflower passenger, speaking of the first Thanksgiving Most historians believe the American Pilgrims were...
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In and through the sheltering and kind presence of God, Ruth is given the grace to devote herself fully to work. The scripture says, “So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except a short rest.” I do not think this passage alone justifies stringent versions of the Protestant Work ethic. ...
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