This year on Thanksgiving my family and I are going out to eat at Cracker Barrel, as we have done for the past 9 years ever since my grandparents passed away. Don't get me wrong, I love to cook and I know at some point I will have to tackle roasting that turkey, but I would rather do it on a snowy day in February when there's no pressure to have it look Norman Rockwell picture perfect and I'm not expecting anyone to come over for a traditional holiday feast. This is the first Thanksgiving where both my dad and I are on gluten-free diets because we can no longer enjoy the biscuits, stuffing, or corn bread without getting some serious indigestion or allergic reactions. (Thanks, wheat allergies and celiac disease!) In a way, I'd almost like to stay home just this once so I can make a gluten-free stuffing to go with our turkey and cranberry sauce, but we called the Cracker Barrel in Fogelsville and the manager assured us we can enjoy the turkey and many other side dishes which are gluten free since they're made separately from the regular wheat-based products. The manager even understood our concerns because he has relatives who have celiac disease and are on gluten-free diets.
But I guess my real reason for not wanting to cook on most holidays except for this one is because I cook a lot during the week and blog about it on my food blog called Extravagant Breakfasts. (http://extravagantbreakfasts.blogspot.com) It's nice having a break from cooking on holidays. Sometimes, I just want to eat because I don't have enough patience or self-control to wait until something's done cooking before I get to try it. And I've always said my family members are the ultimate food thieves because they tend to "steal" the leftovers I'd wanted to eat for the next meal, even if it has my name on it. In a way, we have an open fridge policy and anything in there is fair game, but sometimes being polite enough to ask someone else if they want the last piece of pizza or cheesecake is a good thing.
One thing I have learned, though, is that I do need to be patient and self-controlled when I cook, even when it's not for a holiday or special occasion. Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." It's easy for me to cook with love, joy, and peace because I enjoy making a yummy breakfast or delicious dinner for others. But it's the other six "fruits" I have to work on developing, especially now that there are two of us who are gluten-free and the rest of my family doesn't have to eat that way.
Sometimes, I lose patience when people try to help me and end up getting in my way because we have a small kitchen or they don't follow the recipe directions or understand what I'm asking them to do. I mean, really, how hard can it be to mince an onion? Well, hard if you're not used to doing it very often. Or, sometimes I'm not gentle with a pot or even with other people when I'm cooking. That's when food gets burnt and feelings get hurt. Sometimes, it's my feelings that get hurt when someone else doesn't like a dish I made and we get into a debate over how to make it better the next time around (if it's even worth making at all.) That's when I have to stop and pray and ask God to help me better express myself and ask him and others to forgive me for being unkind and stressed out. After all, Dominos pizza is only a phone call away at times when a recipe I'm trying isn't an instant favorite. Sometimes, it's even a question of being patient, self-controlled, gentle, and kind with my family and with friends who don't understand why I can't eat the apples out of the pie and leave the regular crust on the plate.
This year, I am grateful for more than just a day off from cooking on Thanksgiving. I'm grateful for more than just the ability to cook and successfully make gluten-free versions of our favorite foods. I'm also thankful God is using my ability to cook to help me face the challenges of life head on, including my own special dietary needs and those of my family and friends. God is truly faithful in helping me be a faithful cook in putting a great meal on the table. Holiday or not, sometimes just the simplest meal of a soup and sandwich brings my family together and creates memories that last a lifetime. Who needs Norman Rockwell picture perfect food when grilled cheese and chicken noodle fill up our hearts as well as our tummies?
And if you don't have dinner reservations with family at home or in a restaurant, you are welcome to eat Thanksgiving dinner at Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Road, Allentown, PA 18104 (corner of Route 309 and Walbert Ave. in South Whitehall Township) on Thursday, November 28, 2013 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The dinner is free and open to the general public. No reservations are needed, so come hungry and leave happy! Call the church office at 610-395-2218 or email them at church@jordanucc.org if you need more information or would like to help serve or donate items.