This is a busy time of preparation for Thanksgiving. Family begins arriving tonight. The turkey will be stuffed and some things are already in the freezer in preparation for lots of family meals. We will have fun and laughter but no doubt there will be the obligatory fight between siblings! And a few of the children have goopy noses! Chaos… Sounds like a normal Thanksgiving to me!

I have called around to check on friends who may not have a place to go…so we have added a few extra! The more the merrier….The weather forecast predicts a pretty day so the overflow of children can go outside!

Family get-togethers are not always easy. Hallmark makes us think that it is all organized, the silver is polished, the table is set like Martha Stewart has come to help, the children are well behaved and the adults are enjoying warm family conversation. Harmony reigns!

Well, not at my house! Usually I am worn to a nub…the house is in disarray and nothing looks like the magazine photos in Southern Living. No sirreee!

But that’s not what it’s all about…Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. So far they have been unable to commercialize the day. And since they can’t they have tried to squeeze it out between Halloween and Christmas. I am really aggravated that the trend is to open stores earlier and earlier to cash in on “Black Friday”. You won’t find me in the stores…maybe not all weekend – though my youngest daughter loves to shop and go among the crowds. (I applaud Nordstoms department store for holding back Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving!) But I like Thanksgiving because it is about family gathering, familiar recipes, good smells, laughter and most important, we pause to remember our blessings.

Cetainly my children are blessings to me – most of the time! I have health and a dry, warm home. I have purpose. I live in a land of liberty that still recognizes God as the source of our many national blessings. I have friends. I have a personal relationship with the One who made me and gave me life. I have God’s unfailing love and presence. My sins have been forgiven. I don’t have to live under guilt and shame. Yes, there are many things for which to be thankful.

My pastor said this Sunday that grateful people are happy people. Amen to that!

I don’t know what is going on at your house or the situation you live with but take just a moment this Thanksgiving to say, “Thank you, God.” Even if you don’t feel like it…If you have a hard time thinking of things for which to be thankful, thank God for Himself. Start with the letter “A” – He is almighty. He is bigger than your problem. He cares about you. He desires a relationship with you. He is eternal. He is faithful. He is good. He is your inheritance. He is joy…you get the idea. It will lift your heart.

Have a precious Thanksgiving!