Thanksgiving is not a Holiday but a Lifestyle

Thanksgiving is not a Holiday, but a Lifestyle
November, to me, is the month for “gearing up” for the holiday season. There’s decorating, planning, preparing, shopping, cleaning, cooking, family gatherings, parades, and so much more! I have created so much “hustle and bustle” around Thanksgiving that the true meaning often gets lost in all the busyness. I often forget that Thanksgiving is supposed to be centered around God and all that He has given me.
“The original thanksgiving celebration was held by the Pilgrim settlers in Massachusetts during their second winter in America in December, 1621. These Pilgrims, seeking religious freedom and opportunity in America, gave thanks to God for His provisions for them after the first winter had killed 44 of the original 102 colonists. From that time forward Thanksgiving has been celebrated as a day to give thanks to God for His gracious and sufficient provision” (www.gotquestions.org).
I can’t even imagine the trials and tribulations that they must have had to endure the first several years and for the settlers to show so much thankfulness for what God had provided that they created a holiday to celebrate it astounds me. After researching the true meaning of Thanksgiving, it made me feel very selfish and not very appreciative for all God has given to me. I create so much “busyness” to prepare for the holiday that, if I were to be honest, it makes me more thankful that the holiday is over than why I am supposed to be celebrating it!
This year I’m going to work toward trying to make the holiday “less perfect” in all the material ways (decorating, planning, preparing, shopping, cleaning cooking, and so on) and “more perfect” in all the important ways” (giving thanks to God daily for all He does for me) so that I can truly enjoy the holiday for what it is meant to be, giving thanks to God.
Thanksgiving is to always be a part of our prayers. Some of the most remembered passages on the giving of thanks are the following:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men" (1 Timothy 2:1).
I challenge anyone who has been like me, always trying to make the holiday “more perfect” in all the material ways to begin today to truly make the month of November about “thanksgiving” daily.  Then, when the actual holiday arrives, you will be so full of Christ that the meal won’t be about how good the food is but about how thankful you truly are!
Psalms 106:1 says “praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
By:  Kati Rose

No Comments