Giving Thanks
The Simple Holiday
Thanksgiving is my favorite of the holidays. The air is crisp. There is a large variety of color in the landscapes. It is about joining with our family and friends, celebrating, our bounty, our Blessings and each other. It is simple and straight forward.
There is no pressure in Thanksgiving, as there is in Christmas. Christmas is commercialized. Even those of us who celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, fall victim to the advertisments to buy, spend, and to give a thing. Many buy beyond their ability to pay. Often that 'perfect' gift is forgotten by Valentines.
There is some pressure at Easter......the gift baskets, the new outfits...
Thanksgiving.......a cakewalk in comparison. Eat, laugh, remember.
Comparing This Thanksgiving To Previous Ones
In my own family, not everyone will be present. There will be brothers that I won't see at all. My husband's family won't be represented.
There will be a daughter who will be busy with her husband's family. There will be a daughter who will be working ( in a hospital) , her holiday will be delayed. One daughter, will arrive tired, eat and hurry back to Austin. She will be rushed.
It will be nothing like the Thanksgivings of their childhoods. Where they learned to peel, chop, stir and mash....and exit before the clean up started!
I am almost saddened......
The joy has almost passed....
Times have changed.....
This Jumped Out At Me
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ( 1st Thessalonians, Chapter 5 KJV)
My eyes were drawn to this, as I flipped the thin pages. I had gone in search of something, unrelated. This must have been meant for me, now. Perhaps, it is more timely and appropiate than what I was searching for.
Yes, indeed, I should be glad that my daughter has the love of another family, who welcome her. I am glad that another is gainfully employed and dedicates herself to serving others. And the last daughter, I am grateful , she will make the trip, and when she arrives, she will find rest here, she will be restrengthened, made ready again to face her world.
It will not be the festive holiday that once was, it will be small in comparison.
The reasons for giving thanks have changed, still there are reasons.
Happy Thanksgiving!