自從我搬到英國之後，美國人的感恩節就變成只是十一月份的某個星期四。雖然那個週末我也準備了大餐，但我真正渴望的是能與家人和朋友一同過節。我相信不僅只有我會如此渴望，許多人都會每逢佳節倍思親。我們在歡慶的時刻，應該會特別思念無法到場的親友，或許也會祈求上帝讓我們有隔閡的家人能和好。

在這樣的時刻，禱告和默想聖經的智慧能使我得幫助，例如所羅門王說：「所盼望的遲延未得，令人心憂；所願意的臨到，卻是生命樹」（箴言13章12節）。這是所羅門王分享其智慧的精辟箴言之一，他指出「所盼望的遲延未得」可能產生的影響：當我們遲遲未能得到極度渴望的事物時，就會帶來煩惱和痛苦；一旦得償夙願，就如同生命樹，能使我們精神振奮、活力煥發。

我們有些期盼和渴望或許無法立刻得到滿足，有些甚至要到我們離世之後才由上帝成就。但無論我們渴望些什麼，我們都可以信賴上帝，因為祂對我們的愛永不止息。有一天，我們將與祂同享盛宴並向祂獻上感謝，也將與摯愛的親友團聚（參閱啟示錄19章6-9節）。

When I moved to England, the American holiday of Thanksgiving became just another Thursday in November. Although I created a feast the weekend after, I longed to be with family and friends on the day. Yet I understood that my longings weren’t unique to me. We all yearn to be with people dear to us on special occasions and holidays. And even when we’re celebrating, we may miss someone who’s not with us or we may pray for our fractured family to be at peace.

During these times, praying and pondering the wisdom of the Bible has helped me, including one of King Solomon’s proverbs: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). In this proverb, one of the pithy sayings through which Solomon shared his wisdom, he notes the effect that “hope deferred” can have: the delay of something much longed for can result in angst and pain. But when the desire is fulfilled, it’s like a tree of life—something that allows us to feel refreshed and renewed.

Some of our hopes and desires might not be fulfilled right away, and some might only be met through God after we die. Whatever our longing, we can trust in Him, knowing He loves us unceasingly. And, one day, we’ll be reunited with loved ones as we feast with Him and give thanks to Him (see Revelation 19:6–9).