I love Thanksgiving. It is, hands down, my favorite holiday. What’s not to like? There’s family, food and thankfulness. It is pretty simple. Unless you’ve gone off your rocker completely, there are no “thanksgiving gifts” to buy, no “thanksgiving cards” that need to go out with our picture on it and definitely no dude in a suit that we pay to sit on his lap and tell him what we want for Thanksgiving! I’m thankful for that last one. The stress is pretty minimal, except for the visiting relatives and cooking, and it is all about enjoying the relationships that you have and the food that’s in front of you. I won’t mention Black Friday because that’s Christmas related. 🙂
Sure, it can be a reminder for those who are not with us as well. I have a few people in mind when I say that. There is a vacuum and a void that we all experience because of the empty seats at the Thanksgiving table. If I can be so bold, I’d say I’m even thankful for those who are not present. Nope, I’m not thankful that they’re not there, that is the void that we are experiencing. I am thankful for the fact that they made an impact on my life and the lives of those that I love.
Back to Thanksgiving. I love the simplicity of a day that we are all forced to stay home and occupy the same space. I love that the focus of the day is being thankful. Thankfulness is one of the most underrated spiritual disciplines of our day.
We are about to move into a season where every commercial is designed to make us feel like we are missing something. Thankfulness reminds us that God has provided us with everything that we need. We are complete in Him. As you sit with your family today, remember that. Remember God has supplied all of our needs according to His riches and glory. Not according to what new gadget we feel like we deserve or what lifestyle we need to pursue. It is according to His way of life that is more abundant and more extravagant than the Thanksgiving meal you are about to enjoy. And it doesn’t make you five pounds heavier! Happy Thanksgiving!
From the Snellings
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
mlsnellings 