The Thanksgiving

Turkey

Abp. Leslie Mary Trombly

The cold November wind blew around the turkey pen sending a chill through Pepper's turkey feathers and clear to his bones. That didn't bother him as much as the sense of foreboding that he felt coming from all the other turkeys. It had been rumored, as it had every year, that the disappearance of siblings and parents of the remaining turkeys had been caught and slaughtered for something called “Thanksgiving Dinner” on some human's table. This only happened once a year, but panic and foreboding at this time of year hung over the turkey pen like a dark cloud.

Pepper, usually strutted about the turkey pen with pride, but now he just moped and if the truth be told, he was plain scared of being the next one on the list for someone's table. Ginger, the head female turkey of the pen saw Pepper looking down and moping around. She had watched him for a week and decided it was time to have a talk with him. “Pepper”, she said, “All this moping around you have been doing is not good for you and it certainly doesn't help the spirits of the other turkeys here.” “I know” replied Pepper, “but I can't help it.” “Sure you can” said Ginger. “How?” asked Pepper. “Well for one thing you might develop a little more faith and courage in your creator.” replied Ginger. “My creator?” Pepper asked curiously. “Yes”, said Ginger. “The one who created all things from the tallest tree to the smallest insect and yes – even the humans.” “Where is the one who created me and everything else?” asked Pepper. “Why isn't he here to keep things like this from happening to us?” “He is here” said Ginger, “but you can't see him, but if you believe in Him and trust in Him, you will feel His Presence.” “Who is he? What is his name?” “His name is God and He has a son named Jesus.” answered Ginger. “Where does He live?” asked Pepper. Ginger looked upward towards the blue November sky and replied, “Up there”. “Up where?” Pepper asked quizzically.

“Well if he cared so much about us, why isn't he here to protect us and our families from such sorrow?” said Pepper angrily. “I don't know.” said Ginger. “I do know that if we pray to him, he will answer us and he will comfort us.” said Ginger. “Well if you ask me, I don't think he really cares about us or anything. 'Cause if he did we wouldn't have to go through this every year. He will have to prove to me He does exist before I will believe in him!” said Pepper as he strutted away. Ginger just shook her head as she strutted off in another direction. “Please God, Show Pepper that you really care about us and all you created.” prayed Ginger as she settled down into her nest.

All night that night Pepper tossed and turned in his bed of straw. He had one nightmare after another. The next morning he was awakened by a commotion in the turkey yard. He jumped up out of his bed and strutted as fast as his turkey legs could move. At first he didn't see anything until he turned around. There was a man walking among the turkeys and they didn't seem to be afraid of him. Then the man looked straight at Pepper and walked over to him.

He knelt down in front of Pepper and said, “ I am here in answer to a prayer by your friend, Ginger. “ Pepper was dumbfounded. "I realize that you are afraid and can't understand what is going on, but you also said you wouldn't believe in your creator until you saw Him. Well Here I am.” “Who are you?” asked Pepper with his voice trembling. I am the Son of Man and the Son of God. My name is Jesus.” he said. At that moment Pepper didn't know if he should run away or just plain faint.

Jesus picked Pepper up in His arms, like he did any lost lamb and held him. Suddenly Pepper felt a peace that he had never known. He looked up at Jesus and asked, “Why do all our brothers and sisters and parents disappear and end up on some human's table to be eaten?” Jesus looked at Pepper with a love that made Pepper feel all warm and secure inside.

“Pepper”, Jesus said “that is what you were created for and you need not be afraid, because by the time you are on someone's table, it will only be your body and your soul will be with me in my kingdom. Every living creature including the humans end up there if the believe in Me. There is no more sorrow or death or things to be afraid of anymore. In my kingdom there is joy and life everlasting. All you have to do is ask for forgiveness of your sins, believe in Me and ask me to come into your heart to be with me.”

“But” said Pepper, how can I live in joy and happiness with all this going on?” “Because I will be with you always and I died for you and I rose again so that you could have the promise of eternal life.” “You died?” said Pepper. “Then how can you be here if you are dead!” “I just told you ,Pepper, I also rose again from the dead.

It wasn't just my soul that rose but my body as well.” Jesus went on to explain his ministry and what lead up to his death and resurrection. He also explained how His sacrifice and that of his Father would become the greatest gift of all to their creation. Pepper cried and as Jesus continued to hold him, Jesus told him that His death would be as honorable as was his own and his body would one day be given back to him, but in the meantime, his spirit would be with him and he would have the freedom of heaven and never be afraid again. Pepper finally fell asleep in the arms of Jesus, no longer afraid and at peace for the first time in his young life.

The next thing he knew was Ginger shaking him telling him to wake up. He sat up on his nest and rubbed his eyes with his wings and looked around. “What is with you?” asked Ginger. Pepper smiled and said that he had seen Jesus and had fallen asleep in his arms. He went on to tell about what Jesus said and how what was happening here to us and our families was honorable.

He also said that if we believed in him and asked him into our hearts , we could spend eternity with him! “He asked me to tell everyone and to tell them that He is coming soon and we will not be afraid anymore. “ said Pepper excitedly. “I must go and tell them” he continued as he strutted quickly out the door leaving Ginger behind. “Thank you Jesus for showing Pepper your great love and compassion” she prayed and thanked God for the day. Then she went out the door to join Pepper.

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Note: If any of the pictures on display here belong to anyone, please let me know. I had these donated to me over the years and do not know the artist(s). Some of the graphics, however are mine. Thank you. At the bottom you will find an e-mail button. Click on it and you can send me an e-mail

Thanks to Duncan Long for allowing me to use His art for God. Please Visit his site at: http://duncanlong.com/