There is a very funny piece written by Woody Allen called "Notes from the Overfed." I think of this essay every Thanksgiving. Woody writes in the first person, discussing his uncontrollable eating habits and obsessions It all begins when he realizes that if God is in everything, then He is in food -- and the more he eats, the more closely connected with God he could become... unfortunately, culminating in the fact that his stomach "crosses the state line by itself." "Abbondanza", over abundance, blessing upon blessing!
It is always worth remembering that we are constantly being overfed by God. You don't think so? Look around you. We live in a beautiful world. We are given bodies, souls, and multiple senses with which to enjoy, absorb, learn, and grow. We have the ability to truly rejoice in our world, and in those around us. We are given countless ways to express our gratitude to the One who loves us more than we could ever possibly imagine. Our God is constantly bestowing the blessings of His presence upon us, His love, His unending mercy. Our relationship with God is "all-you-can-eat"!
In Hinduism, many devotees offer "prasadam" -- food offered up in gratitude to God. In Christianity, we have the Eucharist, which literally means "thanksgiving" - given to us by Jesus in order to remember Him, and strengthen us as Christians. In so many faiths and cultures, food and gratitude are somehow, in a variety of ways, inextricably linked in our expression of love for God, and "communion" with Him.
So this Thanksgiving...we all need to step away from the turkey and take a good look around us. Here we are. And here is the One. That is reason enough to say "thanks be to God!"
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