A Little Slice Of Tradition

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Dubiously, I surveyed the large pan of banana pudding with vanilla wafers. It sure didn’t look like any Thanksgiving dessert I’d ever seen. And there was no pie—pumpkin, pecan, or otherwise. Shrugging, I slid a portion of the dessert on my plate anyway.

Next to me, my children lit up. “Ooh, what is that? Does it have bananas in it? I want to try it!”

Smiling at their response, I couldn’t help but reflect on how our attitude toward new people, places, foods, and adventures makes a difference.

We were spending the holiday in South Carolina, and so far, it wasn’t like any Thanksgiving I had experienced over the years. But I didn’t mind that stuffing was called “dressing” or that there were several new dishes. And I liked that it was warm enough that we could go for a walk outside without wearing a coat. By the time we had finished watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade and the men were dozing in front of the football game on TV, I was thoroughly enjoying myself. Moreover, I loved incorporating another tradition I’d never heard of—fresh seafood the next day rather than leftover turkey. Yum.

The Bible has a lot to say about how acquiring knowledge is wise; only fools ignore instruction. We can become so used to our way of doing things that we forget to appreciate the talents and traditions of others. Yet it’s only through our willingness to try new things that we can experience the fullness of life. I have to imagine that the God of the universe—who created a dizzying array of plants, animals, and organisms—wants us to celebrate the diversity of this world and its people, landscapes, and creativity. Curiosity about this wide variety is a gift that often brings us rich rewards.

And for all its minor differences, the day was still centered around food, family, and an attitude of thankfulness. I left feeling grateful that I had been welcomed in and got to try new things—including dessert. Years later, my kids still rave about that banana pudding concoction.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Think of someone who taught you a new way of doing something or introduced you to a new recipe. Thank that person for expanding your knowledge.