“Then out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who make merry.” Jeremiah 30:19a

Thanksgiving

Walk His Way Revisited

First posted in November, 2014

I love Thanksgiving. It brings to mind some of my favorite things—fall, family, football and food! Last year my husband decided to BBQ a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. I have to admit I was a little skeptical (okay, more than a little–I had a backup plan in place), but, oh my goodness, it was incredible! So good, in fact, that our kids have already made sure that he’s doing it again this year.

Every year I try to do something to encourage my family to stop and think about what is truly important to them and what they are grateful for. Strong’s definition of thankfulness is gratitude for blessings. One year I did a Thankful Journal where everyone wrote what they were most thankful for. Another year we wrote them down on the tablecloth (a white twin sheet dressed up with fall colors, leaves, etc). Last year I made a cardboard wreath and cut out shapes of different leaves in fall colors. Each family member took two and wrote down people/things they were thankful for. It turned out beautiful. “That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works” (Psalm 26:7).

Thanksgiving is about faith. We take time out of the year to thank God for His provision, His protection and the start of the season celebrating His Prince of Peace, Jesus. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

I pray that as we enjoy our favorite things this Thanksgiving, we also take time to “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4).

Let the first thing we do when we come before the Lord is tell Him how thankful we are that He loves us. That out of everything He created, He chose mankind to have a relationship with. How grateful we are that we meant so much to Him, He sent His Son to the cross for us. Then may we tell Him how thankful we are for what He has already done in our lives, what He is doing and what He will do in the future.

Guess what, I think He is just fine with us enjoying the family, football and food as well!

“Father, remind us of all that we have received from Your hand. We are truly a blessed nation. Amen.”