Category Archives: Thanksgiving

Come To The Table – Happy Thanksgiving!

20 Sunday Nov 2022

Posted by in Celebrating, Thanksgiving

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Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations”.

Psalm 100: 4-5

This morning I knew my blog post would be related to Thanksgiving, but I had no real springboard; other than appreciation for all things good. As the nation prepares for Thanksgiving week, I have enjoyed seeing gratitude expressed in different ways. Janette DeWitt posted thankful notes on Facebook this month about the people in her life. How important it is to let people know you are thankful for them! Also, I was amazed by my seven-year-old great nephew’s ‘thankful writing’ of gratitude written in school. I would say his gratitude priorities are rightly placed! Lastly, I am always touched by the thank you voiced by my husband for little things I do which many would take for granted. The things we appreciate are as varied as our personalities, and today Steven Hunter mentioned in Sunday School something that may explain this, called the five love languages. So I came home and Googled it. According to author Gary Chapman, we prefer to have love shown in one or more of five categories. This in turn, influences how we show our love, unless a loved one lets us in on what they prefer. It always raises eyebrows when Steven mentions how his wife speaks his love language as she “serves him his plate”, bless her heart! Presto, springboard! Being the good natured brother he is, I know Steven won’t mind.

I was sitting next to a sweet girl the age of my children when Steven mentioned bringing a plate to your husband, or having a cup of coffee brought to you in the morning. April and I looked at each other and laughed as if to say, “like that’s gonna happen”, but for some that is their love language. I could sure go for the coffee thing myself! And to be honest, I have filled and taken a plate or two, but it was probably on some disabled occasion, or with sarcasm under my breath. (smile) So, here is the love language in our house: if I prepare it, he can walk to the table to receive it. And… And… most importantly, if he provided the table (and he did), then I am honored to prepare and serve our meals on it. What is important to us is, we meet at the table. That is our service to one another.

This also is our service to God, that we meet around His table. He has prepared tables for us to feast on the bread of life in His word (John 6:35); the table of communion where we eat the bread of remembering our Savior’s body (I Corinthians 11:24); and at the table He, as our great Shepherd, prepares for us in the face of adversity, and fills our cups to overflowing (Psalm 23). It seems the love language of our God is multifaceted; love by word, service, gifts, and quality time. Even the language of physical touch He gave, as Jesus came physically to earth to bless us with the greatest gift – Himself. These He gives and these He wants to receive, as we give gratitude, service, gifts, time, and the touch of a hug, hand shake or helping hands. In doing these for one another, we do them also to Him.

Each generation has it’s own idea of where dinner is served, and for that matter, one locale may even define ‘dinner’ differently from another. Raised in rural Kentucky, dinner was for me the noon meal, served on a kitchen table with all family members present. I am thankful for that. Supper was served in the evening in the same style, especially if dinner was lunch because family was away from home. But to not stray any farther from Thanksgiving, I’ll bring it back to the table. Whether it is an heirloom table with all of your Mama’s best dishes served in the evening; or great aunt Fuddy Duddy’s crowded table of garden treasures at noon; or grandma’s gravy on grandpa’s chrome table; or at TV trays from your favorite chairs with your favorite peeps; and whether there are two or twenty, just come to the table. Bring your smiles, your prayers, and your gratitude for being loved on in any language. Bring within your heart those who are no longer at the table. Put the phones away, unless you’re playing music for everyone (my picks are Ben Rector’s “The Thanksgiving Song”, Glen Campbell’s “Home Again” and Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”.) As we gather in heart, or in homes, I wish you a very thankful and blessed Thanksgiving. My heart will be full as I speak my language, serving up dinner, at the table. Trisha

What To Pack: Feet Shod With Preparation (Not a Turkey Carcass)

26 Monday Nov 2018

Posted by in Faith, MONDAY MUSINGS, Thanksgiving

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adult beverage breakfast celebration

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Well Friends, the second dishwasher load from Thanksgiving left-over meals has finished; the skillets are re-seasoned; the silverware is put away and our granddoggy’s bedding is washed and stashed for a future visit. Everyone has gone home. Our tummies are full, as are our hearts after four days of family time. I took time out for a catnap today, so this post may be short and sweet – like the time we get for visiting during holidays. So much preparation, busy-ness of serving our guests and then keeping our tradition of black Friday shopping and taking in a late holiday movie all spent the hours at the speed of light. Thanksgiving 2018 is history; let my attitude of thanksgiving not be so, Lord. Here we are at the beginning of a new week, and we’re either rested with the extra days off, or exhausted from all the activity of the same.  Writing this on Sunday night, I am tired, but peacefully so, and happy that our home was blessed with the presence of so many of my extended family this week. Thankful, so very very thankful!

Now, on to the task of planning what to pack. The trip I’ve mentioned lately is very near and it’s time to prepare! Top priority is COMFORTABLE shoes. Mama always said, “if your feet hurt, everything else does too.” After being on my feet for an entire week, I whole-heartedly agree! I am open to suggestions as to the most comfortable, go-with-anything, warm footwear to take with me. Anyone?

“Stand therefore…and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace,” (Ephesians 6:14-15).  Proper footwear was important enough that the Holy Spirit guided Paul to include it in the “whole armor of God”.  Our feet are our foundation. We’d better treat them right! Spiritually speaking, feet not prepared with the gospel of peace, or the gospel of Christ, would not be ready for battle. Physically speaking, feet not prepared with well fit shoes will not be ready to do battle with the sidewalks of New York! I mean, really, with all there is to see and do, the last thing I need is a pair of aching cold feet! Paul’s recommendation included ‘preparation’ which I believe indicates study and application of the gospel. Just as I know I need to prepare with the right shoes to make my trip successful, I likewise know my Christian journey requires daily study and application of the gospel.

I got awfully carried away with food and the presentation of it for the Thanksgiving meal. I was busy – too busy – because I didn’t make time to read God’s word for about three days. I don’t say that proudly. Better planning and preparation would have prevented me from pushing God out of a time that is supposed to be about Him and the blessings He has given. Instead, I gave Him the left-overs; a short prayer as I fell asleep each night was it. That’s like serving our guests the three-day old turkey carcass I found sitting on the clothes dryer today in a forgotten granite roaster. For three days. Friends, that is not enough for our loving God. Not reading His word is to shut my ears up to God. Heavenly day! If I want God’s guidance and peace as I journey life, I MUST stay prepared with the word, “in season and out of season” (II Timothy 4:2). Feet shod with slip-proof, weather-proof, combat-ready wear are vital for the battlefield. Comfortable shoes encourage stability. I want to become so comfortable in my knowledge of the gospel (good news) of peace that my recall is stable, too.  That will take more preparation than I’ve given it so far!

I need that just right pair of shoes or boots, and I will be ready to bag it all up! A good coat, a versatile sweater, and great footwear are important components for a winter trip. It will probably be two weeks before I relay the success of my packing since I will be traveling next Monday, without my laptop. Have a well fit, warm comfortable week, friends, without too many leftovers!

Eternally His, Trisha

What to Pack: A Warm Coat of Thanksgiving

19 Monday Nov 2018

Posted by in inspiration, MONDAY MUSINGS, Thanksgiving

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Winter came early this year, at least in my estimation. The weather system doesn’t have a calendar and obviously forgot to consult ours. Weeks before December 21, we have been shivering in frozen mornings and have even seen a light snow. Coupled with plans for a New York trip, this has me wrapped in thoughts of a warm coat. And a warm coat makes me think of gratitude.

Yes, Thanksgiving is upon us; so besides the cold, November also brings the wonderful time of families gathering, Mamas bustling around for favorite recipes and ingredients, or at least the memories of such times flooding our minds. I like to think I’m a grateful person all year, but this time of year just brings it out in double portion for us, doesn’t it? Candle holders that say ‘grateful’, cornucopia overflowing on tables, wall plaques reminding us to be thankful, all going to say, “we are blessed”. On the other hand, as the weather worsens, we are mindful of those with too little warmth, in heart or home. From those needing help with heating their homes to children without warm coats and gloves, our hearts are full of compassion and looking for ways to help.  I’m often negligent of using opportunities to give to others, and I promise to be more mindful in that. If you’re like me, you may say to yourself, “yes that’s a great charity”, or “sure, I want to contribute to that coat drive!”  I plan to follow-up on it, but can get distracted and let the opportunity slide by, hoping to catch the next one. Just DO IT next time (speaking to myself)! The needs are immediate!  I am sure thankful that God doesn’t get distracted in filling our needs!

“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled’, but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” James 2:15-16 NKJV

Warming the hearts, though, of those who are hurting, fearful, or without hope, poses a more difficult challenge. Those are the cold issues that a warm coat can’t cover. I wish I had a magic coat to warm them – Oh, wait a minute, as soon as I typed those words I knew – God does have! As long as we are able to understand and believe that Jesus came to fulfill God’s love (John 3:16); as long we understand that His resurrection shut the door on the chill of death; and as long as we believe in the eternal life we live through Christ – we can rest in the knowledge that all else is just fancy buttons on the coat. We can accessorize, stew over the color, weight and fabric, choose zipper, toggle or button, but it all boils down to a coat that is perfectly designed for our needs. And don’t even look at the price tag – He already paid it.

“He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4

As for selecting a coat for our upcoming trip, I’ve been told to make it long but lightweight; warm, but not too heavy. The long-range forecast says temperatures will be 30’s to 50’s, but who can tell weeks ahead? The several factors to consider such as color and fabric seem silly to someone without any coat at all, but when you’re headed into the unknown, you want the perfect covering. Like the love God covers us with – perfect, and complete. Yes, I’ll take His coat, and be content, because the future really is the unknown. The coat I take to NYC won’t be perfect, but as long as it’s warm, I’m covered. God’s coat for us however, IS perfect, woven with grace, mercy and protection. Our preacher said something this morning that puts problems into perspective. He said when we are stressed with any issue, ask ourselves first, does God still love me? Secondly, ask if in this situation I can still have a home in Heaven with God. What else matters?

In my suitcase I will pack warm clothes for layering and I’ll wear whatever coat I have. But in my heart, I’ll try to carry, year ’round, a coat of thanksgiving for the amazing  blessing of God’s love, and a love for sharing that blessing with others. “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:8)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Trisha

Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash