“Give thanks to the LORD because He is good, because His mercy endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Walk His Way Revisited

First posted in November, 2014

I come from a small family and Thanksgiving was the only holiday that we celebrated at my grandparent’s home. They lived in a small house without a dining room, but they had an enclosed “sun porch”. Every Thanksgiving that sun porch had mismatched tables and chairs neatly crammed into it. And then the relatives came. Not very many… but to this small-family child it seemed like a lot! We were packed into that transformed sun porch. Our bellies all smooshed up to the tables enough to leave a tiny bit of room for someone to almost be able to walk behind the chairs. My home had a large dining room and this whole “packed in” thing almost made me feel claustrophobic… but there was no use dwelling on the sensation. It was Thanksgiving, and we were here as an only-got-together-three-times-a-year family group.

Besides, there was made-from-scratch pumpkin pie for dessert… with honest-to-goodness freshly-whipped cream… not the stuff that squirts from the can or gets dipped from the tub. It was the best part of Thanksgiving to my child’s mind!

Oh, those are good memories. I can still close my eyes and hear the familiar sounds, smell the fragrant smells… and almost taste the delicious tastes as the years seem to melt away.

I have so many things to be thankful for. Too often I take my blessings for granted. Too often I neglect to have a grateful heart.

I want this year to be different. I want to take time to step away from the chaos and busyness of Thanksgiving and savor the blessings that surround me. I want to purpose to express my gratitude to my Savior. I want to purpose to thank those around me for who they are and what they mean to me.

God’s precious gifts surround me daily… the seen and unseen… the noticed and unnoticed. I want to remember to say, “Thank You”.

“Heavenly Father-God, Maker of heaven and earth, Giver of life, thank You for all that You do for me, in me, and through me. I am blessed by You. I am loved by You. I give You praise and thanks for all You so richly and generously give. Amen.”