Several stores were breaking out their Christmas wares in July. It’s no wonder that Thanksgiving tends to get lost in the rush to Christmas. Were it not for the turkey and dressing and football, we might not even notice it. That’s too bad because Thanksgiving could be one of the most thoughtful holidays of the year.
A National Day of Giving Thanks
The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. – William Blake
An annual day of Thanksgiving has been celebrated by Americans almost since the founding of our nation. However, it was mostly driven by the churches and varied from state to state. It was organized into an official, nation-wide celebration in 1863 by a presidential proclamation of Abraham Lincoln.
The person most responsible for our modern day Thanksgiving might be author Sarah Josepha Hale, who campaigned for it by writing letters to politicians for about 40 years. It took a Civil War for them to listen and to realize that we have a lot to be thankful for as a nation.
Five Ways to Make the Most Out of Thanksgiving
Here are five ways you can make the most out of Thanksgiving.
1. Find a way to be with family.
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters” (Heb. 13:1).
We live in an increasingly isolated society. Beloved family members often live in different cities. Getting together is difficult and costly.
When Priscilla and I were first married we lived 400 miles (7-hour drive) from her family. Later we moved even further away. But, we made the trek every single Thanksgiving. We never missed. One year a snowstorm made the trip a 12-hour drive! It was worth it.
To become a better you, remember to be grateful to people who have contributed to making you who you are today.” – Israelmore Ayivor
How important is your family? Make the effort, if at all possible, to be there on Thanksgiving. It screams, “I’m thankful for you,” in ways words could never express.
2. Take time to share why you are thankful.
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him …” (Luke 17:15-16).
Ten Lepers were healed, but Jesus was astounded that only one came back to say, “Thank you.” Don’t be one of the nine that forgets to say thank you.
This is a great tradition with our family. Before we dig into the turkey and all the delicious trimmings, we stand around the room and take turns sharing why we are thankful. We recount the memories. We remember those family members who have gone to heaven that year. We remind each other that our family is important.
It’s important to not only say you are thankful but to verbalize the specific reasons you are thankful and the specific persons you are thankful for, and why. This makes Thanksgiving very personal, and uplifting.
Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” — Oprah Winfrey
You have the chance to bless someone at Thanksgiving. Don’t miss out.
3. Turn off the TV and talk to each other.
I thank my God every time I remember you” (Phil. 1:3).
I love football. I’m not missing the Cowboys game on Thanksgiving. And that’s not just because my fantasy football season is riding on it. I’ve always loved football.
That being said, Thanksgiving came before American football was ever invented (I know, it sounds like heresy, but it’s true).
Take some time to talk to each other – catch up on what is happening in other people’s lives.
I have a friend who loves to hear what is happening in other people’s lives. He genuinely loves to listen to people. He delights in catching up with what is happening with my wife and kids and grandkids. He asks heartfelt questions that get me to talk more about myself and how things are going. I love being around this guy! Be that person at Thanksgiving.
4. Do something to help someone else.
He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me’” (Matt. 25:45).
One of the greatest lessons Jesus taught us was that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
I know a family that gets up super early on Thanksgiving each year and goes to serve the homeless in a local “soup kitchen.” They spend the morning feeding the homeless before retreating to their own family Thanksgiving celebration.
The kids in that family have learned to be thankful for the good things they have. That family has modeled the value of serving others first.
If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.” — W. Clement Stone
If you are ever struggling with feeling thankful – go down to the local “soup kitchen” and spend some time helping those who are really struggling. It will put everything in perspective and remind you of why you have every reason to be thankful.
5. Invite God into your home.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates” (Deut. 6:4-9).
I know this should go without saying, but allow me to say it anyway – You should invite God into your home at Thanksgiving.
If God is a central part of your home every day – fantastic! You don’t have to read this section.
But for so many people, God is an afterthought throughout most of the year. You know he is there. You really do like Him. But, life gets so busy that He simply gets relegated to Easter, Christmas, and Emergency Room prayers.
Hold hands around the table at Thanksgiving and talk to God – out loud – as if he was standing right there with you … because He is!
Safe travels and have a GREAT Thanksgiving!!
