You see, I love Thanksgiving. It's one of my very favorite holidays. It is a time for being with family and friends, for eating delicious food, for a four-day weekend... but most of all, it is a time for being thankful. For expressing that thankfulness. For celebrating God's goodness and our so-very-many blessings!
My pet peeve, however, is the way Thanksgiving is hastily skipped over. Since it's not a money-making commercialized holiday, it doesn't get the focus it really deserves. The minute Halloween is over, the stores immediately move to decorate for Christmas (if not before!), and the gimme-gimme-buy-me commercialism is everywhere we look and listen. (I used to boycott any store playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving, but now that's almost impossible!)
Suddenly, everything is all about what we want and must have instead of focusing on what we already DO have! Thanksgiving is treated as a springboard for the biggest shopping day of the year --Black Friday. And now, that shopping day has been joined by Cyber Monday, which is supposedly one of the biggest online shopping days of the year. Eat up that Thanksgiving dinner so you'll have energy to arise at 4am and head out to the sales!
I would love it if we could have the Thanksgiving weekend with no other purpose but to celebrate thankfulness, to revel in gratitude. Thankfulness to God for the gift of Himself in our lives. Thankfulness to Him for the many ways He blesses us. Thankfulness for our family and our friends. Thankfulness for the less tangible blessings, like peace and joy and laughter and comfort. Thankfulness that the sun has risen on yet another day and the stars have appeared in yet another night sky.
For these, and so many more, I am thankful. And, oh yes, I do love the feasting --all the delicious taste treats-- but I know the day is so much more than the food. I want to think about and soak in all these thankful thoughts, and I delight in sharing them with loved ones.
A couple of years ago, as part of the table decorations on Thanksgiving Day, my friend put a special quote on each person's plate.
My quote was about Peace :
It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
I pray that this Thanksgiving, you would be able to take the day to celebrate your thankfulness. And I pray for you that, even in the midst of noise, trouble, or hard work, you would find PEACE in your heart as a result of your gratitude.
That is very nice:)
ReplyDeleteWell, Coming from the eastern hemisphere, I had never celebrate thanksgiving before (Plus, I stayed in non-Christian dominated nation). Happy thanksgiving to you, and God bless!
ReplyDeleteI agree 100 percent on this. I'm all for Christmas, but not at the expense of Thanksgiving. Some stores around here had Christmas stuff out the week before Halloween.
ReplyDeleteLove the quote that was put on your plate, too.
Oh Sharilyn, I agree with you 100%! And, so sad, but Thanksgiving is what leads to contentment and joy, not Christmas gifts! Thanksgiving is where the humble heart begins. We've been studying the first Thanksgiving and the hearts that started it. The pilgrims understood God's grace and His hand in their lives.
ReplyDeleteWe are truly kindread spirits ... I used to boycott, too! :) Oh, and I love the idea of scriptures on the plates. That's so cool. I'm going to tuck that idea away to use myself.
Hope you have a fabulous day!
Your friend is very thoughtful and the quote is very true. Happy thanksgiving to you!
ReplyDeleteAh! Just when I needed PEACE!
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot on lately, and I badly wish to quiet down my heart. Need peace...
Back where I was born, Thanksgiving isn't a common practise, to be honest, we aren't even very sure when it is. Hmm... Maybe, everyday can be a Thanksgiving day, no feast required though. Hahah... Have a fine Thanksgiving.
valy - thanks for stopping by to visit!
ReplyDeletejessica - happy thanksgiving to you, too, my friend! give thanks, for He is good!
billy - glad you popped in! and it's refreshing to hear there are others out there who are like-minded with me about the glory of Thanksgiving!
debra - wow! a kindred spirit! i love it how God connects the body in wonderful ways! it is so true that it's gratitude that brings true contentment. (if you haven't ever read The Light and the Glory, you would probably enjoy it! good stuff about the founding of our nation!) thanks for your kind words!
ladybird - happy thanksgiving to you, too! may you celebrate the Giver of your blessings even though you are in a country far away!
and stardust, my friend...your visits and your words always brighten my day! you are so very right--everyday should be a day of thanksgiving! it is what we glass-half-empty gals truly need to focus on to keep our eyes and hearts centered on the Lord and His love for us! (by the way, the American Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November)... i'll eat some turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie for you! i am grateful for you! :)
Hahah, thank you darling, your words always warm my heart like a stove. I am just as grateful for a friend in you. Hugs...
ReplyDelete