Thanksgiving Deserves Its Moment
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and it seems to get slighted more and more each year. But this day matters. It’s the one day we all come together—family, friends—and we mark it as special. As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, we recognize it as a time not only for feasting but for reflecting on God’s unwavering faithfulness and love. This year, more than ever, I feel the need to pause and honor God for His goodness.
Psalm 107:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
Gratitude. Isn’t that the heart of Thanksgiving?
So yes, as soon as the pie is eaten and the last dish is washed, I’ll finally haul the Halloween pumpkins off the porch and start decking the halls for Christmas. Let the festivities begin!
The Magic of Thanksgiving Past
Thanksgiving was a magical time when I was growing up. My sisters and I would sit around the dinner table, looking like we were straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting—our family gathered around the feast as Dad carved the turkey, the centerpiece of our holiday feast.
The smell of roasting turkey would fill the house on Thanksgiving morning. The night before, my sisters and I often helped Mom with the preparations. If the turkey wasn’t fully thawed, we’d run it under warm water, giggling at the icy, slippery bird. We chopped onions, celery, and potatoes for Mom, who saved her kitchen talents for the holidays.
Mom’s holiday turkeys were legendary—roasted overnight on low heat, with stuffing tucked inside to soak up all the flavors. I’ve since read that stuffing a turkey overnight is a culinary faux pas, but let me tell you, it was always delicious. The rest of the meal was a feast: mashed potatoes drenched in gravy, cranberry sauce straight from the can (because some traditions don’t need fixing), sweet potatoes with marshmallows toasted to perfection, green beans, corn, and of course, pumpkin and pecan pies that disappeared faster than you could say “second helping.”
We’d start the day watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, followed by an afternoon of football, which was non-negotiable for Dad.
A Thanksgiving to Remember
When I started my own family, I tried to recreate those same warm traditions. Sometimes it worked beautifully; other times, well, life had other plans.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory happened when our kids were still little. We lived in a cozy ranch-style home just outside Knoxville. Roy, my husband, was a driver for a trunking company at the time and was racing to get home because a snowstorm was expected later that afternoon.
I was up early that morning, preparing the turkey and ready to pop it in the oven, when the first snowflakes began to fall. By afternoon, snow was coming down heavy and wet and quickly covering the trees, turning our yard into a winter wonderland. My kids bundled up and ran outside, shrieking with delight as they played in the snow.
Then, it happened. The power went out.
I called the kids inside to change out of their wet clothes, much to their disappointment. As the hours passed and the house grew colder, I kept hoping the electricity would return. Roy was on his way but the roads were treacherous so he wouldn’t get there until late in the day. Thankfully, I’d prepared a few side dishes the day before—salad and vegetables—and we had pie.
Roy’s truck finally pulled into the driveway just before dark. By then, the house was chilly, and I’d gathered kerosene lamps to light the way. Determined to make the best of it, I declared, “This will be an adventure—we’ll have Thanksgiving by candlelight this year!”
A Feast by the Fire
Our neighbors, who wintered in Florida, had a stack of firewood by their house. We “borrowed” some logs, started a roaring fire in the huge living room fireplace, and then spread a blanket on the floor for our cozy Thanksgiving picnic.
The turkey was not done but we made do with a vegetarian dinner: cold corn and green beans, deviled eggs, dressing without turkey drippings, and everyone got two slices of pie. Later, we had fun popping popcorn the old-fashioned way, over the fireplace. Snuggled by the crackling fire, we read stories to the kids and laughed over the silliness of it all.
Just before bedtime, the power flickered back on. That Thanksgiving was nothing like I’d planned, but it was one of the most memorable.
Proverbs 16:9 comes to mind: “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Gratitude Through the Changes
Now, our family has grown and changed. This year my daughter will be hosting, and we’ll gather at her home to celebrate. We’ve welcomed new faces to the table over the years and said goodbye to others, their absence leaving tender spaces in our hearts. Our son who passed last year will be missed, and I will be praying that our memories together will be shared with fondness and laughter. I hope we make new memories this year that will last in the hearts of our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
These shifts remind me that Thanksgiving is about more than just the meal. It’s a snapshot in time—a moment that never looks quite the same from year to year. Some chairs are filled, others are empty, but through it all, gratitude remains for the love we share and the hope that carries us forward.
As Psalm 100:4 reminds us: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.”
Just like many holidays, Thanksgiving can also highlight what’s missing. For those feeling alone or disconnected, the season can sting. I will be sending prayers of gratitude to God for the family members and friends who have departed and asking for grace and blessings for those who remain.
Prayer for Thanksgiving
As we gather this Thanksgiving, remember to thank the Lord for the gift of family and friends. For those who feel lonely or burdened this season, we ask for God’s presence to comfort them, as promised in Psalm 34:18: The Lord is near to the broken hearted and He saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Help us to cherish the memories we hold dear and to create new ones filled with laughter and love. Help us to extend our hearts to those in need, sharing the blessings we have been given. And as we celebrate, let’s be filled with hope and peace, just as Romans 15:13 declares, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace.”
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
