Thanksgiving week is a week of planning, shopping, cooking, family, and expectations. Each of us has expectations about how our time together will play out. How the food will be perfection, no burned or a random ingredient left out. Our hope is that everything from the table setting to the conversation will be just as we imagine. My hope is to be mindful of Ephesians 4:29/32 TPT Never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them.
What I don’t want is to regret the words I speak when my head hits the pillow. For those who gather with us and those who are far away, I want to speak love and not condemning gossip. This requires being aware of what to say as well as what to leave unsaid. Each of us has information about one another that is shared in private and needs to be guarded and kept that way. I can choose to share positives and keep any negatives from my lips.
Even when we get on the plane to return home it is important to focus on the positives of our visit and not what went wrong or what was misspoken. Anger and frustration are present when we set our expectations too high. It is not the end of the world if that always late uncle comes in fifteen minutes late and makes the yummy mashed potatoes a bit cooler than hoped for. Likewise, if Mom forgets to bake her famous rolls that are rising in the garage the world will not end. It might even work out better to have them as mini turkey sandwiches to enjoy the evening football game.
What is most important in the week of Thanksgiving is to be grateful for what goes right and have grace for what misses the mark. Keeping a grateful heart for ourselves and others even if our table and conversation does not go as planned. We all can choose to remember that one bad moment or feast on the joy and laughter.
Be thankful in all things should be our goal this week. Even if…………..plans are not met. Be thankful.
In Him,
Joyful
11-21-22
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