Thanksgiving: 'In Every Thing Give Thanks'

Well, it's that time of year again. Time to pull out the old, wrinkled recipes and whip up a dinner complete with all the traditional dishes. Time to gather around a loaded table with family and friends. Time to dust off our memories and re-read the story of the Pilgrims and the Mayflower and the very first Thanksgiving celebration. Yes, it's time for Thanksgiving.

I had originially planned to write this article all about what we did this year for Thanksgiving. However, I did that last year. If you want to know what we do for Thanksgiving, just check back in the archives a year or so and you'll find out all about it. So, instead of writing about our Thanksgiving, what am I going to write about? I thought I would use this article to list a few of the things I am thankful for this year.

First and foremost, I am thankful for my family. For all those crazy games of 'Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?' in which nobody is quite sure what is going on and who's turn it is. For those dumb jokes that weren't funny the first time and that nobody laughs at by the third or fourth round. For those long family walks during the freezing cold winter afternoons. For a mom and dad who love each other and their kids and take time to let us see it.

The family (minus me) around the Thanksgiving table. Photo by me.

I am thankful for our home, made warm and snug by the lengthy efforts of Dad and Beka over the summer. For my tiny little room that barely holds my bed and desk. For the living room that has witnessed so many after-lunch family devotions. For the dining room that holds family meal after family meal. For Mom and Dad's room where we always seem to gather for laughter and good times.

I am thankful for my sister Beka. For those hours spent in her bedroom laughing our heads off about the stupidest things. For books read aloud to each other. For evenings spent doing hair and dressing up. For long serious conversations about life. For shared dreams and fancies. For the best kind of friendship.

Beka and me on Thanksgiving morning. Photo by Timmy.

I am thankful for my cat, even though she can be easily classified as a brat and a spoiled one at that! For those snuggly moments when she purrs in my arms. For hilarious games with yarn and feathers. For the comfort of knowing that she is asleep at the foot of my bed. For the companionship she offers during long afternoons of school.

I am thankful for my President. For his good leaderhship through so many tough situations. For his standing for truth and right despite strong pressure. For the protection that the faithful troops under his command offer us. For him making the United States of America a safe and free place to live when so many others live in constant fear and persecution.

I am thankful for living in the country. For the freedom from the dust and glare and noise of the city. For the delicious freshness of green grass under bare feet. For the numerous animals. For the smell of hay stacked in the barn. For the wonderful scent of the garden after a spring shower. For the warm pressure of a fluffy chick in my hands.

Me and my pretty feline companion. Photo by Beka.

I am thankful for my nieces and nephews. For the heavily stickered envelopes that appear in our mailbox. For the one- and two-paragraph letters covered all over with drawings in brightly colored markers. For little phone conversations all about cats and dogs and weather and Christmas. For the wonderful visits spent in non-stop playing. For the little ones who look up to me as a hero.

I am thankful for education. For parents who care enough to see that we learn everything we need to know and more besides. For the long family discussions about tides and gravity and the moon. For longer afternoons of school that drive me crazy. For long division and fractions and energy and geography. For books that tell me all about places I have never been and people I have never met.

I am thankful for health. For the ability to run and play and work hard all day and sleep hard all night. For youth and vitality. For a sound mind and a whole body, both ready and willing to perform. For freedom from any serious sickness or physical problem.

But most of all, I am thankful for my Maker, the one who has given health, happiness, family, peace, and contentment. This last year, we, as a family, have experienced some hardships, but God has been faithful through it all. At this time of thanksgiving, as I reflect on all He has done, I am truly filled with thankfullness for the love and everlasting care of my Father.

The Weekly Bible Verse

1 Thessalonians 5:18: In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Bits and Pieces

We had a good Thanksgiving. It was just us at home this year. We all enjoyed the change of no guests for the first time. It was a very fun day. We played some games, ate too much, went for a long walk, built an entire puzzle in one day, and generally lazed around and did nothing. We also watched a movie. We watched 'The Nativity Story'. (We tease Mom that she is always a season ahead with our holiday movies. We watched a Christmas movie both this year and last year on Thanksgiving.) I personally found it intense, and was very grateful that Matthew was nearby to hide behind when things got too intense.

Our Thanksgiving table not half-full yet! (The turkey was home-grown by Matthew.) Photo by Beka.

A Word About The Weather

It has been cold and sunny most of the week, with a few patterings of rain here and there. Wednesday it rained all day. We were glad the weather stayed nice for Thanksgiving.

A Thanksgiving Joke

Who is not hungry at Thanksgiving?

The turkey. He's already stuffed.