Our Thanksgiving celebration is going to look a lot different this year. You may find the same. At first, I felt disappointed and, frankly, profoundly sad. I envisioned a time of isolation and quiet. But after some thought now, I see it will be a Thanksgiving celebrating a different kind of abundance.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not ignoring the facts.
We have chosen to not gather as a family (in person). We were looking forward to having Thanksgiving at the beach like we did last year. It was a fabulous time, and we decided to make it an annual event…until this year.
Honestly, I’ve had half-hearted celebrations in the past, and I am determined not to do that again – ever.
How to Begin Celebrating a Different Kind of Abundance
So, I began to think about how we start celebrating a different kind of abundance.
What did I expect from our Thanksgiving celebration?
I realized that they included an abundance of food, the kind we have every year. We had a lot of laughter, time for reminiscence, and games. Oh, yes, and giving thanks.
We know that God wants us to be thankful:
” Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)
I began to wonder what would happen if we flipped our priorities in this quieter Thanksgiving.
What if we chose to remove our focus from preparing our homes and tables for food, family, and friends? And instead spent more time thinking and discussing what causes us to be grateful.
Using an Abundance of Time for Giving Thanks
We would have an abundance of time and energy to use for thankfulness.
Spending time reflecting on God’s provision and faithfulness never fails to fill me with peace and joy. Which makes me even more thankful, especially this year.
Our circumstances won’t change. But verse 18 says God wants us to give thanks in every circumstance, even this one.
Habakkuk, a prophet who had a close relationship with God, gives us an example. He starts by painting a picture that he sees:
”Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,”
Habakkuk 3:17 (NLT)
As you reflect on the last many months since the arrival of the Pandemic, is this what you see? A loss of much of what you have come to know as normal. The changes to your life and family may be profound.
Yet, Habakkuk continues:
“18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” Habakkuk 3:18 (NLT)
Even though there is an absence of the physical blessings he has become used to, he rejoices!
But how can he possibly do this?
He is joyful not because of what he has but who he has: the God of his salvation.
He focuses not on the lack but on the faithfulness of God. And on the fact that, for believers, we will be with God for eternity. This time is just a flash compared to that.[i]
So, I am going to make a choice this year in our Thanksgiving celebration that will look very different.
Stepping Into Celebrating and Giving Thanks
I am going to step out of the confines of disappointment. I will walk into an open place of celebration, praise, and thanksgiving.
Because, although our circumstances have changed, our God has not. He remains the same.
We will still eat, just the two of us. The menu isn’t planned yet, but it may well include turkey.
There will be laughter at home and with friends and family via Zoom. There will be periods of silence, but we will not be lonely.
Our focus will be on celebrating a different kind of abundance, the overflowing blessings promised and provided by our faithful God.
How about you? If your Thanksgiving traditions will not continue this year, what will you choose?
I would love to know. You can let me know in the comments below.
Friend, I pray that your time is filled with joy and peace, no matter what form your celebrations take.
(Interested in learning more about living abundantly? Click here )
[i] https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Hab/Hab-3.cfm?a=906017
I see you’ve made your decision. It’s a really hard one to swallow for me, as I’m sure it is for you. But then I think how blessed I am to even have my family. That, in itself, is what I will be giving thanks for this Thanksgiving.
Yes, we did make our decision. It was incredibly hard for us all! I’m with you Karen, definitely feeling blessed by my family. Wise words from you.