Happy Thanksgiving!
Are you ready?
I was looking around online for Thanksgiving ideas, and I found all kinds of checklists to be ready for the holiday!
Some started four weeks out from the day and in great detail led you through steps, steps and more steps to have a beautiful table and delicious food ready for family and friends.
But something was left out of many of them.
The simple business of being thankful.
A definition of thankful can be “pleased and relieved,” or “expressing gratitude,” according to the dictionary.
I’m always relieved if the turkey is done on time!
But, really, how can we develop, retain and practice the art of thankfulness?
Don’t you think we have to acknowledge that all good things come from our omnipotent God?
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows,” says 1 Chronicles 16:11-12.
Our ability to work comes from Him, the opportunities we have come from Him, and our lives come from Him. He is the source.
“You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing,” Psalm 16:2 tells us.
Next, we can slow down and think of all the good things in our lives — sure, there are some disappointments and rough days — but usually the good outweighs the bad.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,” says Psalm 103:2.
Then we can share our thankfulness with those with us. “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” notes Ephesians 5:20.
Maybe you go around the table and let each person tell something they are thankful for this year. Maybe you relax, sit around after the meal and talk about the prayers God answered this past year, or give your testimony of all the things God is doing in your life. Sharing thankfulness seems to double it!
A spirit of gratitude can help destress the job of getting an important meal ready for your family. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” says 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
There are many great ideas out there you can access to help make sure you plan ahead, know what you are going to serve, have the ingredients and pace yourself.
But keeping the spirit of Thanksgiving — Thanking God for his provision, protection, and His salvation — that’s the main thing!
Don’t let self-imposed pressure stress you until you forget how God has blessed you.
