Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. The prompt this week is ā¦ Grateful.
It’s dark and early, and the word settles in around my soul peacefully, for I am grateful this morning. Yesterday was Thanksgiving 2020, and for us – it did look different from other years.
We cooked three turkeys and bagged up the extras as we did the big trade and received our mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. We waited for everyone to get settled back in their homes with tables set and laptops sitting in the seat of honor.
And our dinner began.
I am grateful to have heard my dad say grace yet another year.
I am grateful we were all present and healthy.
I am grateful for some who had tests and procedures with no complications.
I am grateful that while some careers were on hold, others thrived to make up the difference.
I am grateful that while there may have been differences in opinions, no division occurred in our families, in fact, we bound together more tightly.
I am grateful for granddaughters who facetime and make us laugh (and cry as we miss them); who have taken us on adventures, read us books, and grown bigger right in front of our eyes.
I am grateful for the Gospel which cannot be shut down, locked out, or limited in occupancy for God’s Word has been read, received, given strength, and thrived in our hearts and minds.
This Thanksgiving we each set our own tables, we shared food, and our hearts were enlarged as we celebrated the goodness of the Lord to each of us. And for this, I am grateful and give thanks!
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:15-17, NLT)
Today I am joining ā¦
I recall one small sweet holiday
in a year long gone
and in a place so far away
there’s no map that it’s on.
We polished rifle cartridges
and hung them from a twig;
no pear trees and no partridges,
but we had some roasted pig
that we ate in brassy gleam
beneath a shelter-half;
perhaps āĖtwas not the Christmas dream,
but we could smile, and laugh
that even in a tropic night
the Magi’s Star could still burn bright.
Amen, Andrew. The Light still shines bright!
wow – lovely!
Different times bring a new and fresh gratitude – blessed to read of your Thanksgiving celebration as I sit listening to the daily update and how it might affect the Christmas holidays. A timely reminder to be grateful for the Lord’s goodness!
Those updates can be alarming for certain. May our hearts be filled with gratitude each day for all the Lord does in our lives.
Such a wonderful reminder; I especially loved this: “I am grateful for the Gospel which cannot be shut down, locked out, or limited in occupancy for Godās Word has been read, received, given strength, and thrived in our hearts and minds.”
Jana, may we remember that God’s Word will never return void. It will always bring His truth, light, and hope.
Grateful! I am truly grateful for my family, my friends, my salvation, my Savior, my home, and having my sisters in this same building. God has been so good during this pandemic. I am also grateful for my little church. We are so small that we can meet each week for Worship. So needed. Thank you Jesus.
Susan, you are indeed blessed, and you have blessed me with your friendship as well š
What a beautiful expression of gratitude. Thank you for sharing.
Amie, FMF #10
very nicely pulled together. So glad I stopped in. š
What a neat way to celebrate together!
Barbara, it was different, one we will all remember, and what we all felt we needed to do. I’m so grateful we all were able to participate!
What a wonderful and thoughtful way to celebrate the holiday! I love how your family found a safe way to celebrate together. There is much to be grateful for, even in 2020!
Thank you, Laurie, It is what we all felt we needed to do so all could be present š
always grateful for your words, Joanne! love this list of gifts and the reminder that there are always gifts even in difficult times.
Mariel, we always have gifts because we always have Him!
Joanne, how wonderful. What a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Glory be to God, our Thanksgiving and gratitude with him never end.
Yes, may our thanksgiving and gratitude never end!
Lovely post and list of things you are grateful for.
Thanks for sharing.
(Visiting from #33)
trading turkeys – that’s terrific. I gave my extra to my housekeeper. I’m very grateful for my housekeeper, and it’s so sweet you still have your dad with you!