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11/27/14 Thanksgiving Grif.Net – Thanksgiving for Douglas

11/27/14 Thanksgiving Grif.Net – Thanksgiving for Douglas

Thanksgiving Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun
assignment–to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.
Most of the class might be considered economically disadvantaged, but still
many would celebrate the holiday with turkey and other traditional goodies
of the season.

These, the teacher thought, would be the subjects of most of her student’s
art. And they were. But Douglas made a different kind of picture. Douglas
was a different kind of boy. He was the teacher’s true child of misery,
frail and unhappy. As other children played at recess, Douglas was likely
to stand close by her side. One could only guess at the pain Douglas felt
behind those sad eyes.

Yes, his picture was different. When asked to draw a picture of something
for which he was thankful, he drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty
hand. His abstract image captured the imagination of his peers. Whose hand
could it be?

One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise
turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and
care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds
us. And so the discussion went–until the teacher almost forgot the young
artist himself.

When the children had gone on to other assignments, she paused at Douglas’
desk, bent down, and asked him whose hand it was. The little boy looked
away and murmured, “It’s yours, teacher.”

She recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or
there, as she had the other students. How often had she said, “Take my
hand, Douglas, we’ll go outside.” Or, “Let me show you how to hold your
pencil.” Or, “Let’s do this together.” Douglas was most thankful for his
teacher’s hand.

Brushing aside a tear, she went on with her work. The story speaks of more
than thankfulness. It says something about teachers teaching, pastors
preaching, parents parenting and friends showing friendship . . and how
much it means to the Douglas’s of the world. They might not always say
‘Thanks’. But they’ll remember the hand that reaches out.

~~
Dr Bob Griffin
[email protected] www.grif.net
“Jesus Knows Me, This I Love!”