Giving Thanks

This week is Thanksgiving! Can you believe it? I hardly can. I have always loved this holiday for so many reasons. I think I have come to appreciate it even more being in college. I do not get to go home as often so when I see my family I am that much more thankful and blessed for what a wonderful, loving family that God has given me. My roommate for the past few days and weeks has said "Ugh, I hate that everyone just seems to skip right over Thanksgiving, it is not Christmas yet, people!" At the time, I thought she was just being Scrooge, but as I walked downtown Holland, Michigan last weekend every shop had Christmas plastered all over the windows. I decided that my roommate was right, people tend to skip right over Thanksgiving and get right into Christmas. I am guilty of this myself, my family puts the Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving, the lights on the house and all of our Christmas dishes are put into the cupboards. I go Black Friday shopping for my Christmas gifts just like everyone else, but I can't help but wonder, do I appreciate Thanksgiving enough? Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days. I wake up to a house that smells of turkey roasting outside, stuffing being baked in the oven, pumpkin pie and other desserts cooling on the hutch in the kitchen. I wake up early so that I can get into the shower before my brother and get dressed to head to church. When we get back from church, I usually help my mom out in the kitchen for a bit, then the family comes over. We laugh and talk, watch the football game, play outside with my niece and nephew in the leaves and on the four-wheelers. It is a day dedicated to my family. On that day I think of nothing else but the love we have for one another and relationships that we have. On Thanksgiving it is so easy to remember why I give thanks. But, as soon as Friday comes, Christmas is pounded into my head, I think of nothing else but "oh shoot, what did Matt say he wanted for Christmas?" and "oh man, my mom would love this!" I cannot help but think this is the mentality of most of us. We only appreciate the day on that day. The other 364 days are spent thinking and doing other things. Well, here's my challenge for you and myself, go out and tell every person you know how much you care for and appreciate them, not only on Thanksgiving but every day of the year. Have a great Thanksgiving guys and God bless!


Love,
B.



p.s. If Thanksgiving has become a stressor for you, as in you cannot stand the idea of being around your family for a whole day, think about all of the blessings that have been bestowed upon your life, friends, coworkers, and maybe even a stranger that helped you one time. If you are reading this, I thank God for you because I know that you are a blessing in someone's life even if you do not think so.