» thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Beth — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:50:18 +0000

I’ve been thinking so much lately about Thanksgiving and the meanings behind it. When I was young, we learned about the first Thanksgiving – how the Pilgrims moved here, and how the Indians taught them how to farm here, and what animals and plants could be eaten. We were taught that first Thanksgiving was a day of sharing food between the Pilgrims and Indians- the Pilgrims were thankful for their new friends, for their new country, and thankful to God for bringing them through such hard times.

Why is it so hard for us to be so thankful? We as a country have so much to be thankful for. While we are at war, we are not being attacked on our own soil (at least, not for now).

Our healthcare system isn’t perfect, it’s much better than what many countries have. Even the poorest people in our country have access to basic healthcare.

Our political system isn’t perfect either, but it works pretty well, for the most part. Folks get into leadership positions – and when they don’t do what they say they’ll do, sometimes they get sent back home.

And our economic system isn’t perfect. But I’m glad I live in a place where I can work for what I want, and no one can tell me that there are limits to what I can earn, or what I can buy, if I have the money to do it.

So, I’m thankful to be living where I am.

If you don’t have a reason to be thankful, look around you. If you’ve got a place to live, food to eat and clothes to wear, you have more than most people in the world.

Give thanks in all things!

Thanksgiving thoughts

Beth — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:55:00 +0000

Well, Thanksgiving has passed for another year. We had all the fixings at MIL’s house, and got to see family members we haven’t seen in a while; then off to my mom’s house, where we had sandwiches, finger foods and a veggie tray, which was a very nice change. It’s hard to eat two big meals in a day, especially when you’re not used to it.
It was good to see everyone, but we missed a lot of loved ones… hubby’s daughter couldn’t come because her husband was on call and couldn’t leave the base. She’s missed seeing him the last two Thanksgivings, so we certainly understood why she wanted to stay home with him. She’s a good daughter, mom and wife and we’re proud of her. My daughter’s family spent the day with her honey’s family, so we missed seeing them too, but we understand – it’s hard to get everywhere, when there’s such an extended family to see.
Hubby’s son and his wife came, but their kids were all visiting other relatives, and my older son is back overseas, so we missed about half of our family. It’s tough having a blended family, and even more tough during the holidays.
But we have lots to be thankful for – our grandchildren are healthy and happy, they have good parents and good homes, they’re intelligent and they’re being raised by responsible people.
My husband’s mother and both my parents are still living, and they’re all in reasonably good health; while they may have problems from time to time, they have a good quality of life, and we all live near enough to see them often.
Hubby and I both enjoy life and have lots of interests to keep up going – besides our immediate family, our church family always has things going on, and of course our riding friends are ALWAYS up to something!
Last but not least, we’re thankful that we live in a country where we’ve got to right to speak our minds, and to believe as we wish, whether it suits someone else or not.
What are YOU thankful for?

Leavin’ on a Jet Plane

Beth — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:35:00 +0000

My older son has been home for the past four weeks, and today he flies back to Germany. I’m so proud of him and all he does; he and all the other military make sacrifices that the rest of us don’t even realize.
While he was home, we had ‘Thanksgiving’ at my folks’ house and most everyone was able to be there.
Sometime after the first of the year, he’ll be transferring stateside, so he’ll be closer to us – we’ll be able to visit him at his base. I’m so excited!

He’s comin’ home!!!

Beth — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:20:00 +0000

I finally caught up with our middle son this afternoon. He’s stationed in Germany, and will be coming home next month.
I knew he was scheduled for some time off, but we never know until a little before he leaves whether it’s going to work out. He’s finalized his flight in, and given us a pickup time.
He’ll get to be home for about a month, so my mom is planning on cooking an early Thanksgiving so he can celebrate with us. He’s always liked ‘green stuff’ (pistachio salad) so I’m sure that will be on the menu.
We really have an old-fashioned, right-out-of-Southern Living spread at Thanksgiving and Christmas – turkey and dressing (my mother’s is always just right), sweet potato casserole, peas, butter beans, rolls, cranberry sauce (the kind that slides right out of the can), and usually some great salads and casseroles. Coconut cake and pies – who can argue with that kind of meal?
I’m so looking forward to seeing him – he’s never met his nephew (whose birthday was yesterday) and he’s only seen some of the other nieces and nephews a few times, so he’s in for a real treat. I’m sure we’ll have to arrange some kind of day just for the kids to crawl around on him and let him know how proud they are of him.
I’m very proud of my son and all the others who serve our country- even if they serve in peacetime, they make a sacrifice no one else can imagine, and they don’t ask for any recognition – I remember the first time we picked him up at the airport – a group of folks from a military support group were there, and every time a few soldiers came through the gate, they stood and applauded. Most of the men and women looked slightly embarrassed, as if they’d prefer to just walk on without all the attention. Next time you see a soldier or other military person, say thank you…

How thankful are you?

Beth — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:05:00 +0000

I’ve been reminded through several things this week that I am called to be thankful in all things- not just the good things, but the bad as well. The Bible says “all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose”. I’ve had a rough time over a situation going on, and I had just about given up on things working out, but God reminded me to pray and turn things over to Him. Almost immediately afterwards, I found out that things are going to work out, and will be better than I expected.
One of my favorite Bible stories is in Genesis, the story of Isaac’s father wanting to find a wife for him. He sent a servant back to their homeland to find one from among his kinfolks; I was reading the story the other day and a phrase caught my attention: while the servant was looking for a wife for Isaac, he prayed, asking God to give him guidance. The Bible says “and while he was still praying” God answered his prayer (emphasis added). We’re so quick to think God isn’t listening, or that He won’t answer us, that we forget how often He answers “while we were still praying”…
Please remember to be thankful for the good and bad things in your life- you never know what will come from them.

Johnny Appleseed

Oh, the Lord’s been good to me, and so I thank the Lord
for giving me, the things I need, the sun and the rain and the apple seed;
Oh, He’s been good to me!

A little girl I used to know, sang this as her blessing at mealtime. It’s from the Disney short, Johnny Appleseed. I’ve always thought that was a sweet way to say thanks for what we have.

Are we thankful for what we have? That’s something I struggle with every day. I want to let God know that I’m thankful for what He’s done for me, but I let other things get in the way. And I have more things than ever to be thankful for- our family is doing well and growing (a new grandbaby due any time!) we’re doing some much-needed work to our house, my business is growing. One of my goals is to stay in a thankful attitude and to keep the main thing, the main thing.

Like the old song says, when things get bad, start counting your blessings. You’ll be glad you did!