thanksgiving.

thanksgiving. in our family we all gather around the table, give thanks for the food, then eat like we have never seen food before! the tradition is to go around and say what we are thankful for. the first person that begins, sort of sets the precedent for the rest..."i am thankful for this food, and our family, oh and for God, and Jesus... and i am thankful for the fact that we have a house and all the things we need. ooh and for our country...oh..and our troops who are fighting for freedom for others, and the veterans that fought for our freedom that we enjoy today. ok i think that is it...no, one more..HEALTH." so after this first person goes and covers EVERYTHING in the world to be thankful for, the rest of the group should just say "ditto". but, we don't because it is nice to hear the kids say what they are thankful for. they have listened to the adults so they know what they are SUPPOSED to say. BUT they SHOULD say what they are really thankful for. if they did, it would sound like this: "I am thankful for the two bites of cranberries that i ate so that i could have a cookie. i am thankful that i have my own room and i can say NO BOYS ALLOWED on my erasie board. i am thankful for the stash of halloween candy that i have under my bed that [i think] mom does not know about. oh and my webkins, and my animal bracelets." my boy's would say, (if they were being honest as to what they are thankful for), "i am thankful for candy and kashi apple bars, soccer and playing outside." But instead of being completely honest about their thankfulness they will take our cue and [be thankful] for the things that they SHOULD BE thankful for.

one of the hardest things about being a parent is watching the complete honesty of my children and remembering that we are all cut from the same mold. left to ourselves, we ONLY care about our material possessions, our comfort, OUR WAY. with Christ, OUR FATHER, we are reminded [by the Holy Spirit that dwells in the heart of a christian] of what we SHOULD BE thankful for. only with maturity do i look around and see what i have and what others do NOT. a home, food, clothing, money coming in etc. i have met people that lack one or all of these things. it is our job to remind the kids and ourselves that only because of GRACE that we have ANYTHING. i could be sitting alone somewhere, without a thing or person in the world, but, FOR SOME REASON UNKNOWN, i am blessed. outward and material BLESSINGS do not come with "membership" into the body of Christ. the Lord does bless those that are faithful. BUT, not always in the ways that we think. or in the ways that we plan for ourselves. When we submit to the Lord, He blesses us how he chooses, with love and one desire, HIS GLORY.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and AWE. Hebrews 12:28

Corrie Ten Boom, a missionary, author, holocaust survivor, and world traveler, died without a husband, children, wealth, or family. She lived a long full life of GREAT BLESSINGS from the Lord as she followed God's calling into the mission field. she spent her days sharing how the Lord Jesus DELIVERED her from the brutal hands of Nazi soldiers, who had taken the lives of almost everyone she loved. but yet, he had filled her heart with SO MUCH JOY. I would encourage anyone to read "The Hiding Place" and "Tramp for the Lord". it WILL change your understanding of what the definition of "blessed" is.

i can't Force my children to "GET IT". the whole, i am blessed and i don't deserve any of it, thing. i can only pray for the Holy Spirit to penetrate their hearts as they grow and mature. i pray that as we enter the Advent season and go into the whole "santa clause, have you been good little children?" season. i pray that i can help them be more appreciative of the gifts that they receive, and also the gifts that they already have. we go straight from "i'm thankful for..." to "gimmee gimmee gimmee".
Help us, Lord to raise these little children to be truly thankful AND giving individuals.
Happy Thanksgiving!!