With Thanksgiving upon us, every email I receive seems to be a reminder to give thanks this holiday season. But with Thanksgiving falling late this year, we are tempted to jump ahead to Christmas. Don’t do it! There is a reason to pause and give thanks.

It is a family tradition in our home to gather around the table at Thanksgiving. If I had my way, we would all be sitting at one big table. My father and I started another tradition. On the Wednesday night before, we prepare the turkey, together. He tells me what to do and I do it. I love this time together. I’m thankful for these moments and I’m thankful for my father.

Scripture tells us to ‘give thanks in all things.’ That’s easy to do when everything seems to be going our way. But things don’t always go our way. Sometimes when we gather around the table, there are empty seats where only memories remain. That is why moments are important. Pausing at Thanksgiving reminds us to give thanks for the day, for the food, for those that are here and those that once were.

The other day I was sitting in a pedicure chair getting my toes done. While soaking my feet, I realized that the warmth of the water swirling around my feet felt so good. I’d been sitting there for 15 minutes but hadn’t noticed.  I had been in my phone. Realizing I was missing this moment, I intentionally put my phone away.

On this particular day, there was a woman sitting beside me. I hadn’t noticed her. She appeared a bit disheveled. She had a hand knitted toboggan on her head, covering up her un-brushed hair. I saw her. Maybe because I wasn’t distracted by a phone anymore. We struck up a conversation. She told me she lives in a group home. Then, she said the most amazing thing. She said, with a smile on her face, “But I can’t complain. I have a roof over my head. It could be so much worse. I could be out on the streets.” My heart sank.

It was a good reminder for me. I have a roof over my head too. Her words made me pause. What am I not seeing because I am too distracted? If I cannot see it, I guarantee you, I am not thanking God for it. I thanked God for this woman who reminded me.

Scriptures on thankfulness;

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV; Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
• Philippians 4:6 NIV; Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
• Colossians 3:17 NIV; And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Why should we give thanks to God in all circumstances? Why should we be anxious about nothing but in everything, present our requests to God with thanksgiving?

• Because, James 1:17 NIV tells us; “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…”
• Romans 8:28 NIV says; “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”

Ideas of giving thanks;

1. Make your presence your present. Put your phone away and be present in the moment. While you are with others, be with them. See them, hear them, connect with them and share with them.
2. Reminisce. Tell your favorite story or a favorite memory. I’ve heard the story of my sister fiercely running her tricycle off the end of the porch so many times that I feel like I was there.
3. Remember those not present. Share memories of a loved one that has gone on. I remember my Grandpa making us bowls of black cherry ice cream. He would pour Pepsi over it and it would foam up. I loved it. We would take it to the den where we would sit down and watch The Wheel of Fortune. This is a good memory.
4. Go around the table and name something you are thankful for.
5. I know I said put your phones away, but for family and friends that may be in other states or other countries, FaceTime them. Let them be a part of the festivities.

There are so many things we have to be thankful for. If you woke up this morning, took a breath, have a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in, pause this Thanksgiving and remember. This holiday is a time of giving thanks. Take time to do just that.

Make this song your prayer. (If you cannot see the YouTube video, please open this message in your browser.)