While I was sitting with Roger this morning, he looked over at me and whispered “ice.” He wanted some ice chips. His mouth and lips are dry and thirsty. It was 11:55, as I gently spooned a very few chips into his mouth and watched as he began carefully to try to swish them around. I had this thought: People everywhere are getting ready to sit down to Thanksgiving feasts–turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato souffle, cranberry sauce, cake and pie, along with who knows what else. Roger’s request was simple: “ice chips.”

I was reminded of Jesus’ comments to His disciples when they were trying to get Him to eat: “I have food to eat that you do not know about” (John 4:32), Rest assured that Roger has food to eat that we do not, yet, know about, not even close. He could care less about turkey and dressing with all the trimmings. As the deer pants after the water brook, so does his soul pant after God–the living God. His asking for ice chips, aka water, reminded me of that.

Have you ever had such a longing for God, that even Thanksgiving Dinner paled in comparison? Roger is living in that moment. Nothing compares with his longing for Jesus. Thankfully, he is almost Home. In the not-too-distant future, Jesus will greet him on Heaven’s shore. His longing will be satisfied. Thirsty no more, as he will be drinking from the fountain of the Water of Life–freely and eternally.

“Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day. And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died as was buried. And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame” (Luke 16:19-24).

The contrast is overwhelming. On the one hand, a man begging from hell for Lazarus to dip his finger in water and touch his tongue to cool it from the tormenting flame. On the other hand, a man fast approaching Heaven, about ready to sprint to the finish line, asking his pastor for a few ice chips to soothe his mouth that is dry from the running.

Roger wishes each of you a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving Day! And, by the way, he really does want you to enjoy your turkey with all the trimmings. Really! That is just who he is!

~Amen