“These God-chosen lives all around – what splendid friends they make!” ~ Psalm 16:3
(The Message)
Thanksgiving Day has finally arrived. It’s an important day.
Today, I’ll be heading over to my aunt’s house for a big family get together. It’ll be really festive with more aunts, uncles, cousins, and babies than a fire-marshal would approve of. There will also probably be a brain-damaging amount of television being aired as background noise through all the celebrating.
As we bow to pray tonight, I would have already given a word of thanksgiving for you.
Providence brought the friendship of Native Americans to the first pilgrims, and it got them through a grueling winter. There’s also no doubt in my mind that God has brought your friendship here through the blogosphere — as we encourage each other in the daily grind.
I’ve lived through my share of winters to know that connection isn’t something that can be produced or created.
It is a gift.
What We Know & What We Don’t Know
You have given me the best — sharing what everyday faith looks like in your life. Your stories have stored up an amazing harvest, that will last me through my spiritual journey ahead.
~ We are spiritual pilgrims, on our way to where God is taking us.
~ We don’t know the lay of the land, but we walk by faith.
~ Together, we help each other by sharing what we know — and equally important, what we don’t know.
If we knew everything and saw everything so clearly, we would have no need for faith.
There would be no mystery.
There would be no risk.
Faith Pilgrimage
Today, as I thank God for how He’s blessed me, I thank God for you.
I gather your words and your silent comradery, like a happy chipmunk on a bright autumn day.
Early in our nation’s history, a group of pilgrims left home to find freedom.
Those of us who are following the way of the cross are also on a faith pilgrimage. We leave the familiar behind — self-direction and self-fulfillment — to experience something greater: God-directed and faith-filled lives.
There are joys and trials as our stories unfold. I’m grateful to travel the in-between time together. So much more meaningful and that much less alone.
Thank You, Jesus
Thank you, Jesus, for being faithful in your love for us, calling us your friends. You draw near, during times no one else notices.
Even before you faced your longest winter on the cross, you stopped to celebrate a bit of thanksgiving, with a meal surrounded by friends.
We can face our winters and encourage each other, because you lived through our winters on the cross.
And for that, we are thankful.
~~~~~
You need to know, friends,
that thanking God over and over for you
is not only a pleasure;
it’s a must.”
~ 2 Thessalonians 1:3
(The Message)
~~~~~
How are you celebrating Thanksgiving?
I hope you have an awesome Happy Thanksgiving!
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19 Comments
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I am thanking God for you and your blog. It has been so wonderful to hear your story and to get to know you. Your words have inspired me over and over.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Reasonably Happy =-.
Oh and to answer you question: I am going to the retirement apartments with my Oma. My mom and her husband are also joining us and we are eating at the restaurant there.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Reasonably Happy =-.
Thanks, Katie! Sounds like you had a clean-up free Thanksgiving meal with those you love.
What an insightful post, Bonnie, as always. I love the imagery of the happy chipmunk! 😉 I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!
.-= Laura´s last blog ..Happy Thanksgiving! =-.
Thanksgiving turned out great! Thanks, Laura!
Have a bountiful and very Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks, Mo!
I’m up in your neck of the woods, well Lafayette, with the Chinese in-laws. We came up from Santa Barbara yesterday: husband, daughter, 80 year old dad who lives with us, and got in rather late. I’m having allergies which affect my eyes, so the driving wasn’t fun as it usually is. Nevertheless we had a pretty good time in the car playing Christmas music (why wait?) and when we stopped at Gilroy outlets we couldn’t believe how cold it was!
We’re thankful Uncle Irving has a job at Apple, in Cupertino and that he’s coming over for Thanksgiving dinner. He’s got a deadline on December 10 that’s keeping everyone at work although they were all told they could have the week off. How about that?!
My mother-in-law is cooking turkey (although she herself didn’t care for the meat) and I brought up yams and a pumpkin to make the parts of the meal that matter most to my daughter. I really liked your baked chicken story; so true! Even though I grew up with a Greek mom who could cook anything, my first turkey was still raw when it came time to serve, so we chopped it up (rather Chinese style) and microwaved what we wanted to eat!
God bless you Bonnie!
Beth
Welcome to Silicon Valley! Hope you’re enjoying the sunny but chilly weather up here, Beth! … I chuckled imagining you doing the Chinese chopping on that year’s microwave turkey meal! 🙂
Thanks for this post, Bonnie. I enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving day with family. It’s one of my favorite days of the year: faith, family, food, fun! God bless you. Keep up the great work!
.-= Fr. Michael´s last blog ..The Power of Positive Living =-.
Great to hear you were surrounded by the fab 4! 🙂 It’s everything wonderful combined! Blessings, Fr. Michael!
Thank you so much Bonnie. Such a beautiful way of writing thanks. and to the prayer – Amen in Jesus Name 😀
Thanksgiving Aloha’s to you, Jeri! 🙂
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Bonnie! Blessings…
.-= jasonS´s last blog ..Light Friday Hit List- 11-26-10 =-.
The evening was care-free and relaxing… Perfect! Hope you had a great one too, Jason!
Great post, Bonnie! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
I’m so thankful that I’ve been getting to know you Bonnie! You have such a way with words. And I must add that you have a beautiful heart too. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I love how you reminded us of our spiritual pilgrimage. After all, this isn’t our permanent home …we’re just passing through on this life of faith.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Go Light Your World =-.
Your blogs are very refreshing, insightful, and full of joy. Happy belated Thanksgiving, Bonnie! My husband had to work on Thanksgiving. I cut out “I Love U” in cranberries for his lunch and created a huge feast that greeted his eyes when he arrived home. It looks as if his job will never let him off on Thanksgiving unless he asks for a vacation day. :o( But I am grateful his job is secure and in this economy that’s nothing short of a miracle!
.-= Nikole Hahn´s last blog ..Let’s Celebrate! =-.