Giving Thanks

I must say that I am very disappointed in myself when I say that I haven't given Thanksgiving Day the honor it deserves.

Yes, we all know the history of why we celebrate Thanksgiving - the story of the Pilgrims and Indians that we are all so familiar with. But, in essence, when you study the true original history of Thanksgiving Day, you'd humbly realize, like I did, that in the 20th Century, we've gotten so far away from the original intent of what this day represented and what the Pilgrims and Indians were trying to teach us.

When the Pilgrims were in desperate need of rescue after many of their people died in the Winter of 1620, the Indians, very graciously, stepped up to the plate to help. They saw a need, and met it. They offered the Pilgrims land, food, training, friendship, and even - forgiveness. The following Fall at Harvest time, the Pilgrims were ecstatic about the amount of food they had grown! They knew that all the teaching and guiding that the Indians had provided for them had truly paid off. They were just overflowing with thankfulness and gratitude and joy.

Quite simply, they were so thankful to God for faithfully showing them the way, and providing for their every need, including peace among their neighbors. That He provided this new Joy of "family" and "togetherness."

And out of their thankfulness to God, and to the Indians, they wanted to share their wonderful bounty with their new family. They wanted to celebrate their blessings as 'one family' surrounded by Love. To celebrate together all that they were thankful for. The Indians and Pilgrims were trying to set an example for all the future generations of what a true "Thanksgiving Day" looked like. The purpose of it all......

The point is: it doesn't matter where you celebrate it or who brings what food, or even if you miss a football game. Or even about the parades, although those are fun to watch. And of course, the day after Thanksgiving does have some awesome sales! Anyway, try to stay focused on what truly matters. Ask yourself: Will this truly matter in 10 years from now, or 20?

What will be remembered is: was the day about Giving Thanks? Was it about reconnecting with your loved ones, was it about showing gratitude for all of the blessings in your life? Was it about catching up with loved ones, all awhile sharing home-made food together? (Food is our common ground, you know.)

So, can I encourage you as well as myself (trust me: I am always preaching to the choir), to keep our focus and hearts on truly what we are thankful for in our lives. However that looks for you : God, friendships, family, health, material blessings; maybe it'll come down to simply being thankful to be alive.

I think we owe the Pilgrims and Indians the honor they deserve as our very first Thanksgiving Day "role models" in how to be truly thankful, and how to share that Joy with others.
 
But this day of Thankfulness, shouldn't stop at the end of that day. It shouldn't stop when you go to sleep that night overstuffed with food, drowsy from eating turkey; and maybe even a smile on your face. The Pilgrims and Indians intended for this feeling of thankfulness and oneness with one another to last and last.

How would that day look different in your life, or in mine, if we changed our focus from what we've always thought about Thanksgiving and celebrated it with the Pilgrims and Indians in mind? To just get back to the true meaning of the holiday: Giving Thanks.

I heard someone say once, "If the only prayer you ever pray is: Thank You, Jesus, then that's enough." Hmm ... something to think about, especially during this Season of Thanksgiving we are currently in.

May you all have a very  blessed, joy-filled, memory making celebration with all your loved ones. May your heart smile with thankfulness, and may it overflow to others. May you learn to Be Still so you can enjoy each and every single moment. Life is about being present in the moment, which will be gone in the blink of an eye, and about making memories, isn't it? And that is what holidays are perfect for, especially Thanksgiving Day: Celebrating Life Together!

Happy Thanksgiving!