Pastor Mike Nodland

My uncle was a big, strong farmer with enormous hands for fetching whatever needed tending to. His farm always looked great…a freshly painted house and barns, clean property, tidy and sharp looking. So, the results were priceless when it came to something my uncle couldn’t and shouldn’t do but did anyway.

When plump poultry was watching their backside at that time of the year, my uncle decided to lop off Mr. Fowl’s head unceremoniously, yet business-like! Not real keen on this business, though, he grabbed the poultry, plopped it down on a stump, and let the axe fall decisively!

Well, that Thanksgiving meal popped up and ran the farmyard…headless! Not to be beaten at his own game, my uncle charged after the messy fowl with axe in hand, across his homestead with vengeance and humiliation combined!

Taking another stab at the bird, he measured one final blow that netted his prize…but his activities didn’t go unnoticed, and he lived his years out, embarrassed by the fowl who ran afoul!

Thankfully, we reach into the grocer’s freezer to get our turkeys for Thanksgiving! The Bible says, “Be thankful in all things, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus!” Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Mike Nodland, pastor

Christian Fellowship Church, Vining, IA