City Life Starter

What is Thanksgiving? We could trace the first observance of Thanksgiving in the United States by the Pilgrims in 1621, who celebrated their first harvest after settling. There is nothing unusual about celebrating the harvest, for many cultures around the world has set one date aside in the Fall to celebrate good crops. Growing up in Korea, we had our Fall Harvest called Chuseok, where families would gather together to celebrate the harvest and honor their ancestors. In ancient times, agriculture played a vital role in the wellbeing of society. Unforeseen weather conditions, such as drought, would have meant a great deal in culture since nations depended upon the crops produced each year.

Today, we do not depend on crops, but the tradition of families’ gathering together to celebrate and show gratitude for God’s goodness and provision even if a person is facing difficulties or a drought in life. It is one day where families, when family members do not get along, set aside their differences to unite as a family to celebrate and be thankful. Well, at least that is the hope. As Christians, Thanksgiving is about celebrating God’s goodness, faithfulness, and continuous provision for those who believe, whether it is material or spiritual. As Christians, we look to God in awe that God would take care of His people, and our response to Him is giving thanks with a heart of gratitude.

For the Yun family, today will be very different than any other Thanksgiving celebration we had in the past, for a variety of reasons. First, it is our newborn’s first Thanksgiving. We are excited to gather together to celebrate a life that God entrusted us with, especially since we did not expect to have a child this year.

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 118:1

I wish I could end today’s devotional here and say, “This has been a good year, Happy Thanksgiving!”

But I can’t.

As many of you know, my father has been in a hospital since late September. He had to go through many operations, and doctors had to make many aggressive treatments to save his life. He will be celebrating his Thanksgiving at the hospital today, and this breaks our hearts. The good news is that all those aggressive treatments worked and we are hoping to have him back home in few weeks.

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.”

The month of November has been one of the darkest time we ever faced as a family.

On the day of my father’s second major operation, I was at the hospital keeping him company until his surgery. After he was preparing to go into the pre-surgical procedures, I left to go to the waiting room to be sure operation went smooth. About 30 minutes into his surgery, I received a text from Ciara, “Urgent, Please call.” I called as soon as I could thinking that there was something wrong with our little girl.

“My mom passed away.”

Ciara’s mother sudden passing without any signs, though we suspected her health was not in perfect condition, we did not expect her to pass so suddenly. As I sat at the hospital, at one end, hoping that my father’s operation would go well and at the same time, hearing my mother-in-law passing away, I just didn’t know what to do but say, “I’m so sorry.”

In the midst of darkness, how can you celebrate a day of thanksgiving when everything around you is darkness? Perhaps we could skip this year’s Thanksgiving, for how can we celebrate a day when there are so many bad things around you? The world would say omen or bad luck, but as believers in Jesus, we chose to take on Christ.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8:18

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

What we have faced this month is something that is real, the reality of life and how fragile life is. At one moment, you would be with those whom you love, and the blink of an eye, they are no longer with you (Last Sunday, we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog Kelev).  You are faced with a flood of emotions that you have no control; they completely consume you, the sadness, heartache and the grief paralyzes your very existence. Then I find my hope in my Savior, who sympathizes with me, His loving arms around me to comfort my soul. Then I remember, that the believers have the hope of eternity with Him, on that day, on that glorious day, when “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There will be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

We, as a family has decided to celebrate this Thanksgiving even in the midst of sadness and grief. These events do not change who our God is, and we are convinced that He is with us even in the midst of a storm. For this reason, we will give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Ji, Ciara and Hana Yun.