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Thanksgiving Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect To Be Full Of Gratitude

By Bonnie Gray • November 24, 2011 • 41 Comments

Thanksgiving Day is here… And my family and I will stay home this year, to nurse a yucky cold.

It’s one of those winter bugs that remind me of the turkey and gravy that goes around the table on Thanksgiving Day.

It gets passed around.

I’m the last in my family to catch this winter bug, so everyone is mostly on the mend. Except me.

We usually head over to my aunt’s house for a big family get together.  It gets really festive with more aunts, uncles, cousins, and babies than a fire-marshal would approve of. There’s also a brain-damaging amount of television that’s usually aired as background noise through all the celebrating.

Even so. As we all know, the various challenges we face in our family relationships — the issues that we want swept under the rug — don’t take a break for the holidays.

But, the good news is this:  Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be perfect to be memorable.

Gratitude is what makes this holiday memorable.

With hearts overflowing with gratitude, my husband and I are celebrating, thankful —

For God’s love that brought us to belong to Him,

For the love and friendship that has kept us best friends and loving couple,

For the children He’s given us to nurture and shelter,

For giving us food to be nourished and home to lay down in,

For the friends who warm our hearts,

For the families who enrich our lives.

Thanksgiving dinner this year will be a wonderful feast among our family of four.

Still Light The Candles

Hubby graciously did a grocery run as I write this post, to pick up a pre-ordered Turkey Dinner, so that there is minimal cooking — perfect to enjoy the day with our two boys, playing board games, build legos, and setup choo-choo trains.

Thanksgiving will be low key, but it won’t go by silently.

I still plan to light candles.

Instead of my home-made Thanksgiving apple pie, I will bake something simpler this year:  pumpkin spice bread.

While we take bites of desert, we will enjoy a short time of thanksgiving remembrance.
I like to read a picture book about the pilgrim’s first Thanksgiving, as a way to introduce a time for each of us to share.  What are you thankful for this year? we ask around the table.

This year, I’m going to add something new, since six-year-old TJ is now in kindergarten: gratitude notes.  Kids draw so much as kinders, I’m going to ask him draw something he enjoys about each family member.   And Hubby and I will do the same (two-year-old CJ can scribble). Then, we can share them at the table, with each family member.

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be perfect to enjoy gratitude.

As we bow to pray tonight, I would have already given a word of thanksgiving for you too.

Celebrating What Can’t Be Produced

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 comraderie, 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.

You broke bread and gave thanks. You poured the wine, lifted up your cup to a toast, and gave thanks.

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!

Pull up a chair. I savor your thoughts and your stories. Click to share a comment.

~~~~~

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41 Comments

  • Reply Glynn November 24, 2011 at 3:15 am

    Growing up, Thanksgiving celebrations were always loud, crowded and usually at our house, which semed to overflow with extended family. Today, it’s smaller; our families are in Louisiana and we’re in St. Louis. But there will be just as much love.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:29 am

      I can only imagine how cozy and joyful your Thanksgiving has been. Did you see grandson Cameron? 🙂 Smiling over all the cuddling you’ve probably done by now.

  • Reply Courtney November 24, 2011 at 3:42 am

    I love what you wrote about a faith pilgrimage and facing winters. That is another layer for me to think about today. Thanks for always broadening my horizons, Bonnie. Hope you feel better, and Happy Thanksgiving!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:31 am

      I finally took a dose of anitbiotics — and I’m all feeling better now. Thanksgiving turned out to be very memorable. And the boys really got into it this year. Took some pics. Will share.. 🙂 How about was it for you and your boys?

      • Reply Courtney November 28, 2011 at 12:53 pm

        So glad you are feeling better, and can’t wait to see the pics! We had a great Thanksgiving at home – thoroughly enjoyed staying put 🙂

  • Reply Julie November 24, 2011 at 3:53 am

    “If we knew everything and saw everything so clearly, we would have no need for faith.”

    You often write exactly along the lines of where God is already seeking to press a truth into my heart. He is so good and generous….to confirm His words by way of a friend.

    This is the truth; Life has been painful and with so many heart stopping sorrows in the past few years. I have been shaken.
    I sometimes wonder if our family will survive the storm. What will we look like when it has blown it’s way through completely? How is God going to bail this sinking ship?

    This is where my faith is enlarged. I had no idea how fertile the ground of suffering is for an increased harvest of FAITH. In the beginning it appeared that my faith in God had been delivered a fatal blow. I was afraid I would walk away. But God has held me fast He is not letting me go. Faith abounds. And He is far more trustworthy than I ever dreamed.

    Thank you, Bonnie, for walking with me through some of this pain.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:32 am

      Oh, Julie! You’re doing it! You’re walking through the storm… and hanging onto faith — while sharing right in it. I’m so proud of how you’re not hiding away– like I did when I walked through mine. 🙂 It’s so much less alone. You are going to make it, friend. This won’t last forever, even if it feels like it. *hugs*

  • Reply We Give Thanks To God November 24, 2011 at 5:42 am

    […] Filed Under: Life Stuff Tagged With: God, original thanksgiving, pilgrims, provision, thanks, Thanksgiving, traditions, turkey day. […]

  • Reply Jennifer November 24, 2011 at 5:51 am

    Bonnie, your Thanksgiving sounds wonderful! I’m sure your boys will always remember this day. Thank you for faithfully serving shots of faith here. Your words help me on my faith journey, and I enjoy the friendship here with you and everyone else! Happy Thanksgiving. God bless you! 🙂

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:33 am

      You’re right, Jennifer! It turned out to be memorable… I’ll share some pics.. 😉 How about you? Hope it was good!

      • Reply Jennifer November 29, 2011 at 3:09 am

        Yay! I’m glad! I had a great Thanksgiving- busy but great! 🙂 I can’t wait to see pictures!

  • Reply Cherry November 24, 2011 at 5:57 am

    Bonnie, have a wonderful day with your sweet family! It may turn out to be one of your very best Thanksgivings! We will have 16 family members around our table today – so very thankful for our whole family home (except for one daughter & her family in TX – but they’ll be here for Christmas!) So many things to be thankful for – and one of them, is you and this blog place. 🙂

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:35 am

      Cherry — you were right! It did turn out to be very memorable. Cozy and very laid back with no rush to be anywhere except *here*. 😉 Hubby and I had so much fun and the day dripped slowly by. Thought of you and your gaggle of beautiful family and Thanksgiving spread (I’m sure!). I’ll be sharing pics later.. 🙂

  • Reply Lisa notes November 24, 2011 at 6:19 am

    I’m so sorry you’re sick, Bonnie. I pray you feel better as the day goes on. I’m praying that this Thanksgiving will be a very precious one that you will always remember….perhaps laying down a few new traditions.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:36 am

      Thanks, Lisa! I finally took antibiotics and I’m all well now. (wish I went to the dr’s. earlier!) And you WERE right, friend! It turned out to be very memorable — and we did end up with some new traditions (how did you know?). 🙂 I’ll be sharing with pics… How was yours?

  • Reply Joy @ Joy In This Journey November 24, 2011 at 6:32 am

    The older I get, the more I appreciate a quieter simpler celebration. Being sick is a little more quiet than I would like, though! Happy Thanksgiving Bonnie — I’m thankful for the chance to meet, hug, and talk with you in person this year.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:38 am

      I’ll always remember our talk on the “bed”, like friends at a sleepover. LOL. You are just soulful, deeply passionate and full of beautiful words… I love hearing your story and how you’re trusting God, yielding in matters of church right now. 😉 Thankful for *you*. Thanksgiving turned out to be easy going & memorable. How about you?

  • Reply Kevin Martineau November 24, 2011 at 10:30 am

    May you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving Bonnie! 🙂

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:39 am

      Thanks, Kevin! I hope you and your family had a great one too!

  • Reply Melissa November 24, 2011 at 11:07 am

    I am having one of those Thanksgivings as well but there is so much to be thankful for {thank you for the reminder}…praise Jesus!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:40 am

      Hey Melissa! How did your Thanksgiving turn out? Was thinking of you… ours turned out laid back and actually had some memorable times, since we had no hurry to be anywhere but *here*. 😉

      • Reply Melissa November 28, 2011 at 11:56 am

        It was a growing experience…a time of letting go of expectations and just being thankful. I will tell you I took a true Sabbath rest on Friday and feel much better about everything. Thank you for asking!!

  • Reply Shaunie Friday November 24, 2011 at 11:16 am

    I love the images your words brought to mind of pilgrims and native Americans. As a Mayflower descendant I think of that day with a little more personal interest than most. Had that friendship not developed, my ancestor may very well have perished and I would not be here. Sooooo easy to be thankful today and every day!! Happy Thanksgiving Bonnie!!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:41 am

      Wow, Shaunie! That is so neat to know your lineage came from the Mayflower pilgrims. It’s in you, girl… that passion to break free and walk into new land. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. We had great weather, didn’t we? 🙂

  • Reply Jeri T. November 24, 2011 at 6:32 pm

    We made a pit stop home before we head out again. So, I had to stop by and visit. Sharing my Monday post with you.

    It’s my first year out for Thanksgiving in 2 years. I’m finally well enough to be out and actually enjoy a meal. So I feel you having to be home and get well.

    Thought of you the minute we walked in the door. Sending warm love and prayers for speedy recovery.

    Love, Jeri

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:42 am

      Hey Jeri, you’re are so sweet. I felt you were stopping by our home, to say a Thanksgiving hello — just as you were on your way to your Thanksgiving out. Felt so cozy and warm getting your comment on Thanksgiving. Hope it was wonderful to feel good and be out that day for you & your Hubby!

  • Reply Deidra November 24, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    Happy Thanksgiving, Bonnie! Sorry to hear you’ve got the turkey gravy bug. 😉 Just peeking in here to let you know that I am thankful for you, roomie! Grace and peace to you and your beautiful family!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:43 am

      Hey Deirdra, you’re just too sweet and too good… visiting me on Thanksgiving. I could hear your voice wishing me well. And I felt so much better, friend! LOL. I got better after taking some antibiotics… and the boys were good that day. 🙂 How was your Thanksgiving?

  • Reply kimberley November 25, 2011 at 12:01 am

    *yes* – it is a gift that can’t be forced or produced. i was reminded well of that again today as we sat around a table of friends that felt like family.

    and it was *good*.

    your writing blesses and encourages deeply.

    thank you, bonnie, again; for sharing the beauty of your home and your spirit and your love for Him in each post that you write.

    happy thanksgiving.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:45 am

      Hey Kimberley, it was so sweet to get your Thanksgiving visit this past weekend. It was nice to just slow down and enjoy being nowhere but *here*. 😉 Made me smile hearing you share your Thanksgiving was *good*.

  • Reply Katie November 25, 2011 at 6:26 am

    Happy Thanksgiving Bonnie! I have been so busy I haven’t had time to write lately. I hope you have a wonderful time this weekend. I am thankful for you and all those who participate in the jam session.

    My husband (normally works overnights anyway) was working the Black Friday Sales at Walmart. I decided to stay home and do Thanksgiving for him on his day off on Saturday instead. Then we just got a phone call the the deer he got during deer season is done being processed, so now we are driving up there to get our meat instead. But it is provision for our year of meat. I am so thankful for this.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:46 am

      Hi Katie — no worries. So nice of you to stop by … before you went on your drive for the deer with Hubby. I thought that was SSSOOO sweet and romantic of you to take time off work for him.. and then sit next to him on the drive out. Gosh, you guys are cute! *swoon*

  • Reply Sharon Peterson November 25, 2011 at 10:08 am

    There must be gremlins in my computer because this got posted on last week’s Jam (chuckle) so, I will repost it here…

    Yesterday’s Thanksgiving Day was an experience of joy. The dishwasher was fried from a power bump the night before so we used paper plates and hand washed the rest. Because of the economy we had just the basics without any fancy “sides” but………it was really special. Great grandma got to be with 4 of her great grands that she had not seen for two years. There was lots of Wii, and playing with and among the cousins who age from 5 to 12 without hearing any of the typical conflicts and lots of casual photos taken. In reviewing the photos later in the evening what struck me was the look of pure joy on all of the faces. Smiles and laughs galore. What a gift from God to our four generations that love Him and got to spend the day valuing and enjoying each other. That is what I am thankful for, The Lord and Family and what he does withing and among us.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:48 am

      Hi Sharon! It sounds like you had the RICHEST Thanksgiving — filled with warm memories of Grandma, the great grands (wow!) and lots of Wii action with the kids. “smiles and laughs galore” — now THAT is what I call “fancy sides” that money cannot buy! SO wonderful of you to stop by and share. I smiled wide reading this. 😉

  • Reply vicki November 25, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in Australia. But today as I read your blog it occurred to me that perhaps I should try and create a yearly Thanksgiving with friends to celebrate all God’s goodness to us over the past year.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:49 am

      Hi vicki — I think that would be WONDERFUL tradition to begin… and it would be SO special, since you are in Australia — as you create a little pocket of friends and thanksgiving celebration unique to you.

  • Reply Caroline November 25, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    And I’m thankful for this community and your sharing heart, Bonnie. Thank you.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:49 am

      Caroline, I’m thankful for YOU, you’re a part of this community happening here. 😉

  • Reply Katy November 25, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    Happy Thanksgiving, Bonnie! Hope you had a magnificent one! Thanks for your beautiful, gratitude-filled heart!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray November 28, 2011 at 9:50 am

      Thanks, Katy! I hope you did too. Ours turned out to be memorable and gratitude filled since we had no where to go but *here*. 😉 Hope yours was beautiful too!

  • Reply We Give Thanks To God January 10, 2014 at 6:01 pm

    […] Share this:EmailPrintFacebookLinkedInTwitterGooglePinterestMoreRedditDiggTumblrStumbleUponPocketLike this:Like Loading… Filed Under: Life Notes Tagged: God, Life Stuff, original thanksgiving, pilgrims, provision, thanks, Thanksgiving, traditions, turkey day About kristinemacKristine McGuire is an inspirational author and speaker, sharing her testimony and encouraging others in their walk with Christ. Comments […]

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