“You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.” Psalm 23:2-3 (The Message)

There was no other way to say it. Katie and I NEEDED a break… TOGETHER! A friend had given her some magazines to look through and IMMEDIATELY, when she found the advertisement, she opened to that page and let it rest RIGHT THERE on the counter. It became a daily reminder that… “we HAVE to GO THERE!” Then this week… we did!

Were it not for my bride, I’d be nothing more than a heavenly bound heathen. Katie is the one who brought me… no DRAGGED me… into the world of art and culture. After some VERY soul refreshing experiences, I didn’t need to be dragged any further. When she suggested the Stetson Mansion, I was all in!

Together, we made reservations, then picked an old quaint hotel to match the venue. Excited, we threw everything we thought we’d need, and MORE, into a very large suitcase, then hit the road. The large house in the middle of nowhere was so far out of place, even some folks IN TOWN, hadn’t heard of it! When we walked in the door, we were transported into a world of celebration!

There is too much to say and not enough room to say it. But this is not about the Stetson Mansion. It is about TAKING IN what someone else had gratefully GIVEN. It’s about receiving the gift of Thanksgiving, offered on the altar of time and sacrifice. It’s about learning and expanding my own ability and desire to ‘gift’ something back to The Greatest Giver ever! God Himself!

We spent time listening, with open mouths, about the history, hows and whys of what was done. And to OUR good fortune, from the very man who alone, designed and decorated it ALL! His enthusiasm was contagious and over the top! We left with a sense of joyful gratitude, revived in spirit, along with ideas on how WE might display OUR giving even better. In essence, we took HIS giving for our own benefit. Which he didn’t mind one bit!

Jesus Christ is the ultimate image of God – the Giver. If I want to enjoy and display life in its fullest, all I need to do is imitate ‘The Master’ Himself! Copying His mannerisms, joy, love and sacrifice can almost be compared to stealing! Taking from Him produces an outflow of Thanksgiving that I could NEVER imagine or create myself! And the festive, fun part about it is, He doesn’t mind one bit! In fact, Jesus actually ENCOURAGES me to copy Him.

So how are YOU Celebrating the Savior this Thanksgiving?