Tag Archives: Thanksgiving Holiday

A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

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A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

by Lydia Floren

Thanksgiving table

We have a family tradition on Thanksgiving, one that y’all might have, too. During our Thanksgiving meal, each person at the table will take a turn to share things we are thankful for.  For the past few years, I remember being thankful for my mother-in-law Kathy—that she was with us, and that she was healthy. Since moving here over a decade ago, Kathy has been an integral part of our lives. And, she has had some serious medical problems that could have drastically altered her ability to be independent and enjoy life. And, by God’s grace, she has continued to enjoy a sharp mind (despite Wernike’s encephalopathy), two functioning legs (with advanced vascular disease), and clear vision (though with macular degeneration).

A few weeks ago, however, Kathy faced an obstacle that she wasn’t able to overcome–a broken hip. This major event upset the applecart of her delicately balanced health and led to her demise last week. She was 88 years old. We will miss her.

Family looking through bar

Older lady trying virtual reality

Older lady sitting by poinsettias

A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving will be different.  Kathy’s place at dinner will be noticeably vacant. When we go around the table, I am sure we will give thanks for her life, and the many “bonus” years we got to have with her. Two days later, we will gather with family and friends to celebrate her life. And we will rejoice that, because of God’s grace, we will see her again one day.

Relationships—One of God’s Greatest Gifts to Us

In the end, life is about relationships. It is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. This Thanksgiving, thank God for the people in your life, present or absent. Give thanks for the many ways they have blessed you. And thank God that, someday, there will be no absent places at the table, because we will all be gathered around His huge table, overwhelmed with food and love and laughter.

Thank You for Being You

On that note, I just want you to know that I am thankful for each of you, who read this blog– some near, but most far away. Thank you for encouraging me with your kind words, and trusting me with your vulnerability, and challenging me with your faith, and lifting me up with your prayers.  

I am very thankful that one day we will all be sitting together sharing a meal, laughing and remembering, loving and being loved.

I thank God in all my remembrance of you. Philippians 3:1

I thank God in all my remembrance of you.

Giving Thanks At Thanksgiving

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11:25:15 Giving Thanks

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17
I just got back from an amazing trip literally to the other side of the world.  I was invited to come and speak at a women’s conference, the first one specifically for women that the hosts had ever organized.  I was humbled, and frankly a bit afraid; I was speaking 7 times in 2 days, and to folks from a completely different culture.  I prayed.  And prepared.  And prayed.  And others prayed with me.  And God showed up.  Every day.  And in ways I didn’t anticipate.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to share a bit more of what I saw and learned, but today I thought it would be appropriate just to write on one topic from the conference: “Be Thankful.”  I know, I know.  To those of you that follow my blog, you know how much I have written about giving thanks.  Nothing new there.  But the reason I keep circling back to thanks-giving is because this habit has had such an impact in my life.  The more I focus on giving thanks to God, the more I find my life transformed.  And so, there is often something new I am learning about thanks-giving.

Here’s what I mean.  On Thanksgiving Day, of course we Americans are reminded to give thanks.  Amid feasting and family and football, we often stop and think—and even verbalize—some things we are thankful for.  In our family, this happens during The Big Meal.  (Might I add, the only meal I truly cook the whole weekend!).  Sometime between turkey and pumpkin pie, we all lean back in our chairs and take turns mentioning things in the past year we are particularly grateful for.

It’s a good thing to do.
But it is easy to emphasize blessings, more than The Giver of those blessings.  When it is my turn at the table, I will say what I am thankful for.  But, I can often forget to mention Who I am thankful to.  I often neglect to actually say the words, “Thank you God.”  Like the eleven lepers, I am thrilled with the gifts, but I’m not expressing gratitude to The Giver.

Thanks-giving has a point.  A person on the other end.  A person that we are thanking.

To truly give thanks, there must be a recipient:  someone we giving thanks TO.

So, this year as you rejoice in your blessings, remember WHO you are thankful TO:  the Giver of every good and perfect gift.  And then take a little time to actually say the words to Him.

Say, “Thank You God.”

It’s a good thing to do.

This season, what are you especially thankful to God for?