Category Archives: Thanksgiving

What He Said

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Thanksgiving. A time set aside – set aside – for giving thanks to our Creator for the many benefits He gives to us with an open hand. As lovely as Christmas is, it isn’t a time for Christmas yet. Rather, Thanksgiving is a special, precious time of thinking, therefore seeing, our blessings.

The first time our nation celebrated this special day was in 1621, when people in Massachusetts celebrated with a feast of thanks in the New World. George Washington recalled their gratitude by issuing a proclamation of Thanksgiving in 1789. John Adams and James Madison followed suit. Then came the Civil War. There doesn’t seem to be much of anything to be grateful for in a war. Yet Abraham Lincoln designated thanksgiving to be given in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea, and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. Thanksgiving has been celebrated in the United States ever since. Or has it?

We have a day we call Thanksgiving. Many people look forward to a feast and football game. But Thanksgiving without true thanks is pretty thin, don’t you agree? With the challenges our nation has faced for a good decade – okay –  a century or more, we would do well to read about the struggles and triumphs of real people, the sacrifices and treasures discovered in the midst of those sacrifices, and the amazing mercy and provision of God through it all. We might even go waaay back and consider what Israel faced during the days of Jeremiah. In fact, to borrow his prayer:

I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me, Lord, but only with justice – not in Your anger, lest You reduce me to nothing.

And then, yes then, we might consider our own lives – the days we breathe in and out from day 1 until now – and consider the near misses, lessons learned, and certainly the blessings over them all. And only then we might begin to understand the mercy of God is beyond description. And our carelessness of thought and appreciation could be wearing a bit thin for Him. And upon reflection, repentance clears a beautiful path to giving thanks.

Sources: https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/spotlight-primary-source/thanksgiving-proclamation-1863; Jeremiah 10:23-24; Image: pexels-rdne-5847888-scaled.jpg

Not So Different After All: A Thanksgiving Prayer

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Dear Heavenly Father, Holy, Just, Merciful, Good,

We think back to the first Thanksgiving and imagine that times were uncertain and scarcity was not uncommon. We understand that relationships – both long-standing and new – were sometimes fragile due to differing perspectives and a feeling of living worlds apart. We know that good lives had been lost and were missed by those remaining. How familiar it seems.

And not just then, but through the history of this nation who, a rarity among nations, marks a special day of thanks to their Creator, we have paused amid the clamor of the amazing and common, hopeless and miraculous, and terrible and precious to give thanks.

So on this day spent around a common table, we thank You for food. As we think of cold months arriving, we thank you for shelter; for shelter from nature’s storms and life’s storms both. We thank you for Your comfort in distress and sadness. We thank you for celebrations. We thank you for saving us from the horror of sin, both our own and that of others. We thank you for people all around us, people made in Your Image, and the humor and kindness they show.

For You, Dearest Father, are in all of life. There is nothing hidden. And though times change, human experience varies in some ways, but in others is not so different after all. And You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. And we love You. And we are indebted to You for all of life’s goodness and protection in this present darkness. And we thank you.

In Jesus’ kind and blessed Name,

Amen.

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Wider and Deeper

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Dear Heavenly Father,

We most often think of things we see and events we experience when we give thanks. Well-loved places and people come to mind when we list our gratefulness. But, Father, our thankfulness must be wider and deeper, for beyond all of these are the invisible things from Your hand. Your love, of course. Yet more: Grace, Patience, Forgiveness, Discipline, Comfort, and Mercy.

We thank you for revealing evil to us so that we can see good more clearly. Thank you for pricking our conscience so that we can kneel in repentance. It’s not a punishment. It’s a gift. Thank you for teaching us courage. Thank you for the sense of Your Holiness in moments of quiet. Your patience is beyond our understanding. Your mercy – wider and deeper than we can grasp.

You never fail. You are faithful always. And, our dearest God, this day we are grateful for You in all of Your perfection and beauty. We give this day and all days to You, for You and You alone deserve all praise.

In Jesus’ Name

Amen

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Thanks In All Times

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Dear Heavenly Father,

In a time when we anticipate want in our futures and feel concern in our present, we look to You, because we remember how good You are in both good and hard times: How it was Your hand that parted the Red Sea when the enemy was bearing down on Your people; How it was Your presence that calmed the lions while Daniel was in their den; and how it was Your voice that cast out demons at Gadarenes.

We reflect on our lives – how You have been with us from the very beginning, from Day one. You’ve healed us when we were sick and some of us when we would have died but for You. You’ve rescued us from danger, both known and unawares. You’ve given us work to do and homes to delight in. Your creation calls to us to marvel and calms us when we need it.

When we are alone, You sit with us. We keep company together. And when crowds surround us, You are with us still. You call us by name. You teach us in all the kinds of places and people and times we encounter. Wisdom, understanding, discernment – bit by bit, slowly, but surely we learn.

You are so very, very good, Father. And we come just now to thank You. Thank You for history. Thank You for our past. Thank You for the present times when our faith can grow and we can see how bright the light of Your presence shines in the darkness. And thank You for an unknown future. All we need to know is that You’ll be there.

We lift Your Name above every Name. You are great and loving and merciful and good. Your judgements are righteous. And You, oh our Dear Lord and Father, You are our very breath.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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We Will Not Stop: A Prayer of Thanksgiving

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Dear Father of Creation and our Hearts and our Salvation,

We bless Your Name for all You have done. For forming the world – from enormous unexplored outer space and underwater mysteries, to the intricate stripes of a caterpillar and amazing atoms and cells. For providing food from Your bounty and rest from Your peace. For Your expansive mercy and Your encompassing love to each one whether or not they know it. And all of that creation and mercy and love doesn’t stop. It continues minute by minute and century to century. We love that about You!

                             

We praise You for the knowledge of Your great power in parting the Red Sea and in making a path for us to navigate through the trouble and evil of this current world; in walking in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo and in standing firm with us despite the fires of sickness, threats, and political unrest. We are grateful for our nation’s founders and their discernment that without You any nation would fall, but with You our nation would know freedom not otherwise found. You were with us then and have not stopped. You are with us as long as we acknowledge You and invite You. We do! We are so very grateful for the ability to examine history of every era and see Your hand there. Always there.

We thank You today, this day set apart to give thanks, for freedom from want. Though times have been better, You provide what we need. We give thanks for family and, if we have no family, for friends; and if we are friendless, for a friendly smile. We thank you that though we might not know safety, we know Your protection and deliverance when it is most needed. It never stops. It never goes away. We know the promise of heaven.

There is so much to be grateful for, Dearest Father. And today we give thanks, but we will not stop. No, tomorrow we will give thanks. And all the year through. And all our lives because You – You are the source of all that is good and light and beautiful and hopeful.

In Jesus’ Wonderful Name,

Amen.

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ENOUGH

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She spread her hands over the festive tablecloth, smoothing it. Now for the china! It had been her grandmother’s, passed down to her mother, and now to her. Tiny flowers and vines in varying shades of pink and green graced each plate’s surface. She arranged a centerpiece of flowers, pinecones, and pumpkins in the middle of the table; carefully placed a crystal goblet at each place, the silverware – just so, and cloth (cloth!) napkins folded into the shape of a rose. A slight smile crossed her face as she stepped back and admired her work.

The scent of baked turkey and dressing, sweet potatoes, cranberry relish, and a plethora of side dishes wafted through the house. Her faithful dog, Cam, trotted up and stood beside her, and she scratched the top of his head as they stood together taking it all in.

She walked slowly to her bedroom and, after some time, came out dressed in her Thanksgiving best. Cam joined her as she gazed out the front window for a long time. She shook herself, and got busy dishing up the feast and placing it all on the beautiful table.

She glanced at the clock and took her place at the head of the table. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at each empty chair in turn. Then she bowed her head and prayed. She prayed for each dear soul who should be at the table with her; for their fears and their trials and the way they blessed the world. She thanked the Good Lord for so many good things despite privations of job loss, loss of friends, and confusion. For there was much for which to be grateful – for food and shelter, well-being and contentment, faith and hope.

Then she paused, and thought of the governors who restricted families from gathering; the very ones who were probably gathered with loved ones at groaning tables and in lovely homes or, perhaps, mansions. She did not pray for them, though she thought she should. She just considered them. Considered who they had started out to be and who they had intended to be and who they had become.

She patted Cam’s head, and reached for the turkey.

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Thanks for Nothing

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I would like a simple large sign to lean against my house just outside my door. I want it to say something like “Thanksgiving” or “Give Thanks” or something similar. I don’t feel like I’m asking too much. Apparently I am.

Michaels? JoAnne Fabrics? JC Penney? Kohls? Von Maur? Macy’s? HOBBY LOBBY? Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. And, yes, I looked at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, too. I just didn’t want to admit it. There are still markdowns from Halloween, mind you. And Christmas decor is exhibiting some splendor this year if you can ignore the black and white buffalo check (black and white?) and red trucks. Okay. The red pickup trucks can stay, but they don’t get top billing.

For those of you who quietly think to yourselves that this year is honestly a battle between heaven and hell, the Halloween decorations next to Christmas decorations might just send you running out the door in search of a pumpkin latte to calm your nerves. I’ll be right behind you.

If life has taught me anything, though, it’s taught me when the going gets tough, the tough . . . well you know the rest. I’m oh so well aware my cheerleader outfit would not fit me now and I’ll leave that cheer for your to finish – if you can talk yourself into it after the year from – nope. Not gonna say it. I would have to make my own sign. Who needs a rustic artisan? (Well, okay, actually I’m someone who does.) Who needs shiplap? Who needs to spend money?

I went outdoors to scout around. Near our fire pit wood stack, I found something that might work. I grabbed it. Then I stepped back to assess a pallet we’d saved, thinking it could be used for a rustic wedding picture thingy. My husband and I (really just me) were the only ones with that idea, however, and there it still rested against the garage. It’s a bit larger than I’d imagined using for my thanks sign, but there were possibilities. I hauled them both into the kitchen. Then I went back out and grabbed a block of wood we use for a back door doorstop, and stopped in the storage room for some Sharpie Paint pens. Who cares that they’re not my chosen colors? I wouldn’t have to spend a dime!

Then some icy snowflakes started falling, which led to plenty of time raking and bagging our maple leaves (the tree always dilly dallys about letting the leaves go until the very last minute). But it was fortuitous. For as I was looking for something in the garage, I stumbled on the answer to my situation. Yes, I really did stumble. Sometimes the Lord has to do that with me. Or maybe it’s my long-suffering guardian angel with a sense of humor. It’s fine. I’m actually kind of used to it by now.

And that’s the story behind the pallet in my kitchen, a doorstop on my counter, and a dear little signpost by my front door, a beacon of direction to us all.

                                       

 

A Prayer To The One Who’s There

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Dearest Father,

Who was there the very moment we came into

being and knew what we would look like and how

we would think – could think;

Who watches us with care and insight, pleasure and sadness; great mercy and love;

Who anticipates our stumbles and successes;

Who measures our years and the minutes of our days;

Who sees our sins and hears our excuses;

Whose holiness we offend and Whose grace we dismiss;

To You, Father,

Of light and redemption and hope and delight and creation;

Of the tenderness of a mother and the encouraging discipline of a father;

Of knowledge beyond our comprehension;

Of unfathomable wisdom;

Of indescribable love;

Of mercy that travels deeper than the ocean and higher than the heavens;

Of presence;

We give thanks. No matter where we find ourselves nor when, You are there. You are there in good and bad circumstances. You are there when we are with friends, and You are there when we are among strangers, and You are there when we are alone. And when we pray, whether we sense it or not, You are there. You hear. Of all things great and small, the best of all is Your presence. For there is nothing good in our lives nor in this world that does not originate from Your hand. All abundance, all comfort in want, all beauty seen and felt and understood is from Our Heavenly Father.

And on this Thanksgiving Day we bring our small words of thanks to the Source of every blessing, and in great thankfulness for Your Presence.

In Jesus’ mighty and gracious Name,

Amen.

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Thanksgiving Time

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Scratchy crunch of deadened leaves;

Musky scents of garden’s past;

Fading blues and reds and greens;

Shadows’ longer-reaching cast.

 

 

Spicy ciders, chocolate hot;

Comfort foods and pies and cake;

Fudge with nuts or maybe not;

Laden tables we can take.

 

Cozy fires with dancing flames

Mesmerize our dreams and thought;

Sweet traditions, years the same;

Sure reminders we were taught.

 

 

Heart’s desire is to express

In a place of grateful prayer

God’s abundance, His goodness;

And His kind and gentle care.

 

 

Poem: Connie Miller Pease; Images: wikimediacommons.jpg; Pexels.com; thanksgiving-1060214_960_720-pixabay-cco-public-domain.jpg

Give What You Owe

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The empty, whose heart is world-weary, tired of seeing what he never thought he’d see and hearing with ears he wishes deaf . . .

The young, embracing new sights and sounds, whose each new road cannot come soon enough and the new, whether good or evil, is a thrill . . .

The wealthy to whom abundance offers nothing new; to whom need is an unknown acquaintance and sour is made sweet with a request . . .

The impassioned, imprisoned, important paralyzed by hate, jealousy, and unforgiveness or energized by love, generosity, and mercy . . .

Owe thanks to their Creator who daily gives them breath, who does more for them than they recognize and overlooks more than they admit.

At this time set apart for Thanksgiving, regardless of where you find yourself in life, give thanks. We do not think of owing thanks, but we do; and though it is owed, it is incumbent upon us to offer it freely. You have a Creator who loves you beyond measure and live in a world that, despite its troubles, offers beauty and wonder.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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