Love in Strange Places
Many years ago, our family lived in Brooklyn, New York, where we were planting a church. We were away from our families and friends in Ohio and Philadelphia and didn’t have money to travel with our two children to be with them for Thanksgiving.
After having my private “pity party” with the Lord, I soon discovered that many New Yorkers are away from their families during the holidays. So, we opened our home and invited over other “holiday outcasts.” It is one of my favorite holiday memories.
I remember people playing a game of Parcheesi, who had never even heard of the game. Old men lying by the unfired fireplace, fast asleep, with pillows from the sofa under their heads. Kids playing the game “Trouble,” and people from all over the world sharing family memories. Each person brought a dish that reminded them of their home and family. We had turkey, curried goat, sweet potato pie; someone made baked beans—which was crazy to me. We all had a great time and we made it our tradition while we lived in New York. We even continued the tradition when we moved to Philly.
A few years ago the tradition changed as my daughter in-law took over hosting the Thanksgiving gathering. This year she informed me she had invited a family in her neighborhood who had no family to gather with. This made my heart smile.
The tradition goes on.
How amazing is it that God used an event that could have been so disappointing and instead created something filled with so much joy; a tradition shared year after year that brings people together with different cultures and family stories to share.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ruthy Valco and her husband George were the lead pastors at Calvary Temple for 22 years prior to the merger with City Life Church. She says her greatest joys in life are her young grandchildren Nicolas and Evie, and that she is on a quest to impart to them the love of storytelling instilled in her by her grandparents.