Learning to be Thankful

As people trample each other in stores around the US, I am happily sitting at my office desk - NOT shopping - and reflecting back on Thanksgiving 2013.  This has not been a typical Thanksgiving for my little family.  Last year, we celebrated with my family the weekend before Thanksgiving, and with my Heroic Husband's family the day of Thanksgiving.  I personally love Thanksgiving.  I am very anti-Christmas until after Thanksgiving.  So often, we tend to jump from Halloween to Christmas.  But what about Thanksgiving? 

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated to thank God, our Creator, for His goodness and abundance.  After a dreadful first winter in the New World, only 43% of the original Pilgrims survived.  In the summer of 1621, the Wampanoag Indians signed a treaty of alliance with the Pilgrims - defense help for food help.  By the fall, the Pilgrims were thankful for God's blessing - a successful harvest.  They shared their thankful hearts with the Wampanoags.

Halloween is a time for getting candy.  Christmas has sadly turned into a time for getting bigger presents.  When are we just thankful for what we have?  For what God has blessed us with?  For most, we celebrate Thanksgiving with a big meal, football, and shopping for Christmas presents.  Not that any of those things are "bad."  But why do we put so much emphasis on the food, football, and fun? 

The past two weeks have been incredibly busy ones for my family.  We were planning to spend this Thanksgiving exactly like we spent last year - a long weekend with my family; a long holiday with HH's family.  But that is not how it turned out.

We got a most exciting call about two weekends ago.  An opportunity for HH came up - and we jumped on it!  However, that meant that Thanksgiving with my family was cut short.  But that was okay.  We were so thankful for the opportunity.  After a quick visit with my family, we headed out to another town.  And God provided - as He always does (not necessarily how we think He should, but always how He really should).  We came home very tired, but rejoicing.  The next day, HH began to feel funny.  By the next day, he felt awful.  Thus, the day before Thanksgiving, we spent at a med clinic.  On Thanksgiving Day, HH was not any better.  Thus, we spent Thanksgiving Day eating PB&J sandwiches and watching movies.  We did not get to spend any time with HH's family.  We did not get a delicious second Thanksgiving feast.  We did not get to...  What a way to spend Thanksgiving! 

A cornucopia, or horn of plenty

The more I think about it though, the more thankful I am.  (1) God answered a prayer that HH and I have been praying - for a very long time.  And not only did He simply answer it - He answered as only He can do - in abundance.  (2) We got to see my family for a short time - and we will be seeing HH's family soon - at HH's Master's graduation.  (3) HH did not have school this week - which means he is not missing any classes or finals.  Next week is the last week of classes; and then finals.  If he had to be sick, I am very thankful that it was this week.  (4) After a crazy semester - especially the last two weeks, we have had the "opportunity" to slow down - and sleep.  (5) BC enjoyed the down time too - and kicked all day.  (6) Although we did not get a second helping of turkey - we had food to eat.  That is more than most of the world had yesterday.  I could go on and on with this list of Thanksgivings. 

I am so thankful for God's abundance.  I am so thankful for His goodness.  I am so thankful His blessings.  I am so thankful that He sent His one and only son to die for a wretch like me - and you.  I am thankful.