It seems like Thanksgiving becomes more overshadowed with each passing year. I've seen some stores begin as early as summer with Halloween and Christmas decorations & advertisements. No matter where a person goes or what channel they watch on television or what radio station they listen to ... there's still one day of the year that has been set aside as a day of thankfulness that gets overshadowed.
I have some priceless childhood memories of our family Thanksgivings. My Granny always made sure there was turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, casseroles, rolls, cakes, pies ... and my Mother & Aunts would be up before the crack of dawn to make sure food was prepared for all of our family. Long before microwaves or automatic dishwashers or various ovens ... just ordinary pots & pans along with "tin foil" to prepare our family feasts. Aunts, uncles, cousins ... all of us at Granny's being thankful for our relationships & all that God had given us.
Our traditions have changed through the years. My family & my sister's family will meet up at my parents' house for various holidays and gatherings. My parents & sister live close by each other while Dan & I will drive about an hour & a half. Not a long drive at all. And this year will be bring yet another change in tradition. Since our daughter & her family now live a couple of hours from us, they will be celebrating Thanksgiving in their new home on the military base. And then they will be coming down to see everyone for the weekend when we will all go to my parents' house for another Thanksgiving celebration.
So ...
with the many changes in traditions and family ventures
with the mountainous pulls on our prioritizing "one holiday at a time"
with hearts longing for "peace on earth" earlier and earlier
... where does that leave "Thanksgiving"?
I am as guilty as anyone when I see people complaining about "rushing the seasons" ...
I get as caught up as some people for "early bird" Christmas shopping ...
I desire deep down just as other people who truly need one day of giving thanks ...
And then ...
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy
endureth for ever.
Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 118
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Quench not the Spirit.
Despise not the prophesyings.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
I Thessalonians 5: 16-21
How much more would I be thankful for all that God has given me if I simply gave Him thanks
every moment of
every day of
every year.
One of my favorite pictures hangs in our sunroom
as a reminder as we go out into the world
and as we come home to our corner ...
The world may be loud and our traditions undergo changes over time ...
but we just need to quieten our hearts for the whisper of God.
And each and every moment will become Thanksgiving
as we give thanks to Him who is always good.
May you & your family have a
blessed Thanksgiving
not only tomorrow ...
but everyday.
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