When I was a little girl I often wondered why there was no church on Thanksgiving Day. It seemed to me Thanksgiving was a good opportunity to pause in the week and worship the provider of the abundant table we would have.
The best we did was say grace at the table, chow down the meal and then turn to football on TV. This will pretty much be what goes on in our home this year!
Historically, the first Thanksgiving was a day of honoring God for gifts of an abundant harvest and the presence of safety and health. As a child I was taught it was also a blending of cultures as the Pilgrims and Natives shared the meal. There are critics of that story, suggesting it may not have been so peaceful and kind, but for today’s purpose I shall let it be. It was President Abe Lincoln who secured the celebration as a National Holiday in 1863. I am glad he did that. A break from work in the middle of the week with a backdrop of togetherness, fine food and memories is a welcome change from our busy times.
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the United States and Canada and Grenada, Liberia, Saint Lucia, Brazil and probably in other locations around the world not mentioned in the article I read on Wikipedia. Food, family and friends (and in many places, football) no doubt will make up the agenda for the celebration regardless of the geographic location. I suggest in most homes traditional foods per family will be prepared and shared.
What are you thankful for, my friends? Can you measure out some of God’s good gifts in your life? Do you feel the reward of God’s good grace?
In good times it is easy to feel thankful, but in hard times there is much faith and energy required to feel that same spirit of gratefulness. As a world we are still battling a virus and there are personal battles we may be facing as well.
Do the work!! Having a thankful heart is worth the effort despite the energy it may require in both certain and uncertain times.
NO matter your circumstance this Thanksgiving, may you feel blessed and bathed in God’s loving presence and do take a moment to utter your thanks.
spiritandsoul.net 
I am thankful for our wonderful church family who do so much for others.
I am also thankful for your blog Denise. It is always a bright spot when I am scrolling thru my emails. I look forward to it
Everyone have a blessed Christmas season and remember the reason for the season!!
Thanks for sharing inspirational minutes with me, Sue.
AMEN! (Regarding church)