This Thanksgiving will be different than so many in the past. The large gathering of 40+ family and friends for our boisterous and fabulous meal that we have hosted for almost every one of the past thirty years won’t be had. The reasons are many. Our kids are grown and settled in their working lives and a couple have kids of their own. Some live nearby and another across the country, and the trip is too difficult and expensive. Some siblings will join us and others will do their own thing. And my Dad, age ninety-one, passed away on September 30th, marking in some ways the end of an era as his presence at Thanksgiving will be greatly missed. While we expect about fifteen or so friends and family and there will still be a fair amount of noise and laughter, there won’t be the annual “Turkey Bowl,” and I’m not even sure we’ll muster up our traditional “green bean song” while snapping the beans. Life has continued to move along and change, and though we’ve had a good run regathering the masses each Thanksgiving over the years in spite of the changes, our inability to do so in any lasting sense has been made manifest in Thanksgiving 2024.

But this I know: even in these very uncertain times we still have so much to be thankful for, and giving thanks to God remains a year-round activity.

Gratitude is the language of the believer, and we give thanks, with grateful hearts:

Because the Lord is good and his love endures forever (Psalm 107:1);

Because of his unfailing love and wonderful deeds for mankind (Psalm 107:8);

Because of his grace given in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:4);

Because he has given us the victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:57);

Because of the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many (2 Corinthians 1:11); and

Because this is God’s will for us in Christ in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

And, like Jesus, we give thanks because of the incredible meal about to be served (Mark 8:6), although with fewer attendees. So, let the feast begin!  But may the thanksgiving from our hearts and lips continue, even when the holiday is over and we again experience a few quiet moments around my house (until the Christmas crunch!).
Happy Thanksgiving!