Thanksgiving-What does it mean to you?

Happy Thanksgiving!

You can check out the cool facts and video about Thanksgiving here at one of my favorite websites, History.com.  I just learned about the tradition for our president at this time of year.  Pardoning a turkey, seriously... like we have nothing better to do.  But alas, we all need a little something funny in our days I suppose.

Now that you may have learned something you didn't know, let's talk about what Thanksgiving means.  It will mean something different for everyone of course.  Those of you reading this from outside of the United States you might have a local holiday that shows Thanks for a different reason. It may or may not have a specific day to celebrate like we do, but the concept is the same.  Giving Thanks for something.  Here is an interesting article I found with some of them.

When I was a kid we decorated for Thanksgiving, we did crafts of pilgrims, indians(and yes I know this term isn't politically correct) & turkeys, we had plays where we dressed up like those things.  Nowadays, it seems like we skip right over this holiday. Schools have Harvest Celebrations. Once Halloween is over we move right into the Christmas season.  When did Thanksgiving become a time when we all just decided to go shopping? 

Our society today is one that rushes from one thing to the next, without resting and taking in the day or the month or even the year.  Those of us, like myself, that want to slow down a little feel overwhelmed.  It's so hard to slow down in this day and age. I wanted to do something special this year for Thanksgiving with our kids, and before I knew it we were a few days away from it and I hadn't prepared anything.  Life just got in the way.

While I am writing this blog post my kids are home from school for the day and they are just playing Legos with each other and listening to music. They seem to know how to slow down and just have fun, I am very Thankful for that.

Here is a link to a free Thanksgiving Countdown printable.  I never thought about this before.  This is a cool idea and something that can used throughout the year, not just at Thanksgiving or whatever holiday you are giving thanks for around this month or when you read this post.

This year Thanksgiving comes with a special meaning for me, it's the year I received benign results from a biopsy.  It really does wake you up to the things for which you are grateful and thankful.  In the midst of the stress of waiting and trying not to worry, these types of things can bring us closer to God.  For me it made me realize how much I don't like to rely on other people and how much I need to in times like these, especially as I get older.

So this year, look around you and Thank God for all things in your life, the good and the not so good. 

I read a sign a couple of weeks ago that really hit home on this topic. 

Be Thankful for the things we take for granted for they are the things that other people are praying for.

After all, the pilgrims did come to American for religious freedom. If you aren't thankful for anything else, us Americans can still be thankful to be able to have religious freedom where in this world there are so many other countries that don't have this same freedom. If you aren't aware of this then check out my post on Voice of the Martyrs. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Here's a little something from Johnny Cash, it's old school but it's good.  Sometimes going back to the good old days is needed to put things into perspective.

Veteran's Day-Remembrance Day

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are called children of God
Matthew 5:9

Today we honor our Veterans!

I have a lot of people from my family who have served in a branch of our military. I have a few friends that are currently serving.

I want to take a moment to Thank them for serving. It's hard to even think about where we would be today if we didn't have people who were and are willing to serve to protect our nation in times of war and in times of peace.

And as usual, from one of my favorite sites to share; here is the link to History.com and how this holiday of remembrance came about.

If you've never seen the wreath being placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, here it is from 2016. 

You can also check this out: Honor A Vet  with Instagram or Twitter and History.com will donate $1 to TEAM RUBICON up to $25,000.

It is often that we don't think about those that have served our country and what that truly means. We truly are the Home of the Free, Because of the Brave.

There's really not much more for me to say about this, Thank someone you know that has served or is serving.  If you don't know anyone, next time you see someone in uniform Thank them for their service.  It only takes a few seconds.  Be proud of our country and those that serve to keep it free.

Thankful for Hindsight and Wisdom

Does everything happen for a reason?

I often hear this from others and think it myself as well. I don't know.  But what I do know is that we have to learn from our past decisions and experiences, good and especially bad.  

I do know that the bible says in Romans 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Of course that doesn't mean that the life of a believer will be all good things, just that in all things that happen to us God will use them for his purpose.  For someone who likes control, like myself, this can be a scary concept.  How do I let go?  Well, using Hindsight certainly helps.  There are things that have happened to me, in the midst of them it was like Hell on earth, but when I look back at those times I have learned so many different things from them and can use those experiences to not only have wisdom for the future but also to pass that wisdom down to my kids and others around me who can benefit from it.

There is an Irish saying that goes:

May you have the hindsight
To know where you've been,
The foresight to know 
Where you are going,
And the insight to know
When you've gone too far.

The lyrics of the song below from MercyMe really hit home for me.  If I could tell my younger self not to do certain things to avoid all the pain, would I and which things would I tell myself?  The problem is that if I told myself those things then I wouldn't be the person I am today, and how would I know what I would be like.  So, speculation is just that, coulda-shoulda-woulda...   We never know how the future will turn out, but I know I would like to spare some people, especially my kids certain types of pain that I went through.

Psalm 118:28
You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.