Thanksgiving special? Have you ever felt so alone on Thanksgiving that you wanted to die? I understand. On my knees before God after multiple family losses, I said, “Heavenly Father, how can I make Thanksgiving special?” God answered that prayer, and I’ve learned three lessons to do that. Read on to find out what they are.
To Make Thanksgiving Special, I’ve Learned to List Ten Things I’m Grateful For
Like seven in the Bible, ten is also the number of physical or spiritual completion. So, I chose to write a list of ten. In the New Testament, Paul says, “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20 NIV).
Please don’t think of me as Ms. Perfect Holiness. Initially, I choked on the words, always and everything. God didn’t leave me any room for a pity party. With the pandemic, the elections, and the accompanying losses, I’ve struggled again with the words, always and everything. However, God didn’t change that Bible verse to make an allowance for difficult circumstances.
In my review of the past year, I listed ten things I’m thankful for. I could have written more, and that blesses me. One item I expressed appreciation for this year is every limb in my body that works — even if it doesn’t work as well as it did five years ago.
To Show Appreciation for All I Have, I’ve Learned to Pray Continually
God’s word says, “Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV). I can do so as I shop for groceries, clean my home, and prepare a delicious dinner. I can pray for family and friends, who cannot come to my home because of the tighter restrictions during the pandemic plus the regular flu season.
One day as I prayed continually, I sensed God’s leading to make a simple easy Thanksgiving meal of wild Alaskan salmon, baked sweet potatoes, and steamed green beans. For dessert, I would serve fresh fruit or something with dark chocolate. No need to worry about turkey, homemade stuffing, sweet potatoes with brown sugar and marshmellows, green bean casserole, and pecan and pumpkin pies packed in my refrigerator for seven to ten days.
To Practice Knowledge and Good Judgment
The psalmist said, “I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge” (Psalm 119:66 NLT).
I asked God to teach me good judgment and knowledge. “Father, don’t let me fall prey to the November Black Friday Specials all month long, spend money I don’t have, and buy things I don’t need.” I sensed God’s leading to forget about the specials and thank him for what I already have.
Therefore, I won’t need to worry about store website crashes because of overloaded circuits.
You may want to spend time in prayer and ask God what he would have you do to make Thanksgiving Day one you’ll never forget. If you feel led to eat at a restaurant, pray you can find one that’s open. Then make reservations or hope you won’t have to wait in line a long time. You may also want to pray for protection against germs and for the health and safety of the manager, hostess, cook, waiters, and dishwashers.
That should make your Thanksgiving more than outstanding. Who knows? You might even sing a modern chorus like “A New Hallelujah” or a classic hymn like “Give Thanks.”
Happy Thanksgiving.
Copyright © by Yvonne Ortega November 18, 2020
