Are you ready?

How often to do you hear the question, "Are you ready?"  In our home, starting in late August, we start hearing that sentence.  In our home, it pertains to football.  WE LOVE FOOTBALL.  The slogan for the TV is…"Are you ready for some football?”  No, we are not PLAYING football, rather we are excited for the football season.  Yes, we have a favorite team (which have had almost the worst season of the league), but are we ready for football means, have we pulled out the grill?  Do we have the house decorated? Have we invited friends over to watch the game with us?  And Yes, the preverbal need for hot wings and cokes have been purchased.

In our lives as moms, we hear, “Are you ready?”  Are you ready for your child’s first day of school, or a new school?  Are you ready for the birthday party (or parties) for the weekend? Are you ready for the field trip, the homework, the quizzes and tests? And if you are a working mom, the list expands to, are you ready for the carpool or your presentation at work?

How about this question? Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  What will it take to get you ready for Thanksgiving?  You mean, have I bought a turkey, made a menu, pulled out recipe books, or made travel arrangements? 

I read an article this week which was an interview with Alton Brown the professional TV chef.  The question that most intrigued me was: What is your most important tool in the kitchen? Mr. Brown's response was...

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"The table."    

He went on to say it doesn’t make any difference how over the top your ability is to impress your guests, it is rather the need for the table, the place where he says communion takes place.  Mr. Brown observed that if you take away the table and the act of service at the table, “everything falls apart."  His response was not what I expected. However it has given beautiful perspective of what is really important as Thanksgiving looms. 

Psalm 100, is the familiar Psalm of Thanks.  David wrote this psalm to be sung as the Israelites offered their sacrifice of Praise.  Had we asked David if he was ready for Thanksgiving, I believe based on Psalm 100 he would have sung all the more loud and excited. Psalm 100 appears to be "the table" of Thanksgiving!!

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Moms, this psalm is only five verses.  I challenge you to begin teaching your children this psalm as your preparation for Thanksgiving.  Psalm 100:1 says "Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth."  Girls, this shout would be the equivalent of a parade.   Lets teach our children these five verses and lead them in a parade of Thanksgiving through our homes, yards, and if the opportunity presents itself, on our streets.  

This psalm points out the praise due our Lord, our God and our Shepherd!  He is good!  His love endures forever!  His faithfulness continues through all generations!  Praise is truly the center of Thanksgiving. If someone asks "Are you Ready for Thanksgiving?"   Be sure to shout "Yes!" as you quote this beautiful Psalm of Praise.