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Girl Meets God

    by Melissa Mathews

Looking Forward to Thanksgiving
Date Posted: November 28, 2004

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15

Our family lives in a very new part of Sacramento, California, the city Newsweek Magazine declared the most culturally diverse in America. The school my boys go to looks like the United Nations.

Last year, Grant's first grade class had a little Thanksgiving celebration that reminded me of the original harvest festival of 1623 with its Indians and Pilgrims who came together from different parts of the world, with different languages, different foods, and different-colored skin to celebrate.

Our little party didn't last three days like that first celebration, but it did have dancing--square dancing. It was beautiful, humorous, and powerful to watch a Canadian teacher call a square dance whose participants had their heritage from all parts of the globe. Little Vietnamese Valerie and Jewish Andrew, Caucasian Grant and Hispanic Alexis, Indian Prabneet and Chinese Christina danced around the circle as "Shoo fly, Don't Bother Me" sang in the background. The scene made me laugh and cry.

I laughed because of the joy these kids share without any hint of prejudice. To these kids, diversity is normal. Grant doesn't say "Wow, there are only 2 white kids in this room. I feel different." Prabneet doesn't seem uncomfortable even though he is the only one wearing a turban. These kids work together and enjoy each other.

I almost cried because I felt like a fortunate one who had just gotten a brief glimpse into heaven. I had just seen the crowd John describes in Revelation 7:9-the crowd from "every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne...wearing white robes, saying: 'Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks...be to our God for ever and ever.'"

I enjoyed this little elementary celebration. I enjoyed the Thanksgiving meal that the Mathews shared this week with Michelle and Brant (my sister and her husband) and dear friends Brook and Margie Drumm (and all 12 of our children.) But I'm sure the future and ultimate Thanksgiving celebration will be lots more fun than eating pumpkin pie and dancing to "Shoo Fly."

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

Psalms 91:11

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Biography Information:
I'm a preacher's kid, pastor's wife, and southern belle who married a Southern California boy. Can you say 'culture clash?' Scott and I have four boys - Max, Mark, Jackson, and Grant who keep us busy with homework and sports.

Scott and I have been married 22 years and currently live in Northern California where we are beginning year five as church planters. I also teach 12th grade English and love it.

I would love to hear from you. Email me anytime at melissa.g.mathews@gmail.com
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