Okay, so this is a little out of season, but since when do you only get to be thankful in November???

THE THANKSGIVING ENVELOPE
by Andrea Nannete Meha
published in Single Parent Family, Nov. 1995

I will never forget our first Thanksgiving as a single-parent family eight years ago.Ê Seven months before, my husband had walked away from our family, leaving me to raise our three children alone.Ê On the wages I was earning, I barely had enough money to make ends meet from week to week.Ê By the middle of that November, I had $2.50 left in my purse to last us for the rest of the month.

On the day before Thanksgiving, two of my three children were down with the flu, so I stayed home from work.Ê All morning, I ran around taking temperatures and wiping noses.Ê Through the pitter-patter of light rain outside our home in Sunland, Calif., I heard the phone ring.

"Hello?" I answered, trying not to drop the thermometer I was shaking.

"How are you, Andrea?" asked a familiar voice.Ê I recognized the voice as that of Sue, a church secretary.

"I'm okay,"Ê I explained, "but the kids are sick today."

After chatting a few moments more, Sue asked if I would drop by the church and pick up a holiday gift the congregation wanted to give me.Ê I was on my way to the store to buy a can of soup with the money I had left, so I told her I would swing by.

When I arrived at the church, Sue handed me an envelope.Ê I tore it open and pulled out two pieces of paper -- they were grocery certificates worth $20 each!Ê As I thanked and hugged her, tears filled my eyes.

"I hardly know what to say," I whispered, still embracing her.Ê "This came at the perfect time.Ê Please tell the church I really appreciate your help."

I thanked her again on my way out the door.Ê As I headed back to my car, I was overwhelmed with gratitude:Ê God, you know our situation and are holding us in your hands.Ê Thank you for being so faithful to us.Ê When I rounded the corner into the grocery store parking lot, my eyes were blurry with emotion.

Inside the store, I picked out about $15 worth of food for my family.Ê When I got to the counter, I handed the checker one of the $20 gift certificates. She eyed the certificate for what seemed like the longest time, and I wondered if there was a problem.

I finally broke the silence:Ê "This certificate is a real blessing,"Ê I said to the woman, who suddenly turned back to face me.Ê "Ever since my husband left, money's been tight.Ê A church in our area called today and had me pick up this money to help our family."

With tears in her eyes, she leaned toward me: "Ma'am, do you have a turkey?"

"No," I said, "but my children are sick and probably won't feel like eating much tomorrow."

After giving me the change from my certificate, she leaned toward me again, even closer this time.

"I want you to go back into the store and pick out whatever you need for a Thanksgiving dinner," she said.Ê "Get a turkey and anything else you and the kids would like."

Dumbstruck, I stared into the lady's eyes:Ê "Are you sure?"Ê I asked in disbelief.Ê "Really, ma'am, you don't have to do that.Ê We will be fine, and . . . "

Before I could finish, she motioned to a bag boy, who whisked my cart to the produce section.Ê Speechless, I stumbled out of the line and into the store to follow the boy.Ê I felt awkward, but I picked out a small turkey, some yams and a few other items.Ê Then I slowly wheeled my cart back to the woman's counter.

"This morning, I prayed that I could help someone today,"Êthe checker explained as she scanned the items.Ê "When you walked through my line, I knew you were that person."

After ringing up everything, she reached beneath the counter and pulled $20 from her purse.Ê She paid for the food, then handed me the change.Ê As I thanked her, she took my head in her hands, pecked me on the cheek, and whispered, "God bless you."

While returning to my car, my heart was so overwhelmed by the checker's kindness that I cried out, "Lord, thank You!" right in the parking lot.Ê I knew I did not deserve his blessings, but He poured them out anyway.Ê How can you love me so much?Ê I thought as tears ran down my cheeks.Ê Oh, Lord, thank You for loving me.

On Thanksgiving day, the children were feeling a little better and were able to eat.Ê While we enjoyed the wonderful meal, I repeated what the Lord had done for us, and we praised God together.Ê As the delicious food filled our stomachs, thankfulness filled our minds and hearts.