What Happened To Thanksgiving?!

I am quite certain it is missing.

I looked for it today, while shopping, and finally found it at the back of the store, for 70% off.

As far as I know, for every other holiday, the decor is not at 70% off until the day has actually come and gone. Some people like myself, doing it Dave Ramsey style, had to wait until 2 weeks before Thanksgiving to buy my decor. It's only 2 weeks people!!! Not everyone is ready to move on to Christmas yet!

And you know, if I thought that everyone was just so anxious to celebrate Christ's birth, I might be less upset. Probably not, but I will admit the possibility exists.

Why have we allowed Thanksgiving to be shoved aside, resting next to the Halloween decor that is also 70% off? When did the over commercialization (<-----see I'm using BIG girl words) of Christmas creep in? When did Thanksgiving become such a tiny blip on the radar?

I think the even bigger question is. . .do we notice? Do we care?

My heart is full of thanks, for so many reasons. And even if I could think of nothing else, my security in Christ would be enough. We don't need a designated holiday to show our thanksgiving to God. It should be forever in our hearts, always on our minds, often on our lips.

I could start a list of the things I am thankful for, but I might not ever finish this post and be able to hit "submit". I will tell you the one thing I find myself being so thankful for this year.

Trees.

I bet you didn't expect me to say that!

I am being real with you. I am sharing from my heart, so believe me when I tell you that I am so very thankful for trees. So thankful in fact, that talking about it with you brings tears to my eyes.

In the trees that surround me, I see the majesty and the glory of my creator. I had 3 new crape myrtles planted this last spring and have been enamored with trees since. There are more types of trees than I could possibly name. Just the vast number and the difference in each kind is enough to convince me that they have a creator.

They grow tall, branches filled with leaves of every color, shape and size. Each year they grow bigger, taller, majestic. Their beauty sees many different changes through each season that comes.

Driving around today, I saw trees wearing every color of fall. Beautiful leaves in shades of green, yellow, orange and deep red. A feast for the eyes at every turn. And though I know they will eventually turn brown and fall off, only to be raked up and discarded. . .

I know also that the spring will bring new life. Trees bursting with leaves, that are once again, green. Some bursting with flowers, as they bask in the warm sun.

I see my spiritual journey in the seasons of the trees. At times I am growing and bearing fruit, in my walk with Christ. Sometimes I bloom and bask in the glory of the Son. Other times, I am soaking in all I have learned. My life resembles the leaves in fall, changing through my trials.

Then there is winter. It may seem that death has arrived. The glimmer of life may be ever so faint. I rest in the knowledge that there is life, even in winter. It may be hidden, making it harder to see. But it is there, looking for, hoping for, longing for. . .spring.

Through all of the changing seasons of life, Jesus is worthy of our praise. He is worthy of our thanksgiving, no matter what time of year it may be.

In 1621, the year of the first "Thanksgiving" at Plymouth, Edward Winslow, a colonist, wrote a letter to a friend, describing the feast. The following quote is from that letter.

And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

In America, we truly are so far from want. Share your plenty with someone this holiday season, being thankful in everything.

Let it be known that Thanksgiving is NOT ON SALE!!!!!!!

Psalms 69:30

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalms 95:2

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalms 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psalms 116:17

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

Psalms 147:7

Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

Thank you greatly, for stopping by.

blessedwith3