My favorite holiday, without a shadow of a doubt, is Thanksgiving. There are no gifts involved, excessive cookie baking to do, or elaborate decorations to hang. It is simply a day to come together with family and friends and celebrate God’s faithfulness. Every year, my entire family gathers around the dining room table with enough food to feed an entire football team. Some time after the salad and stuffed bread, but before the turkey, we participate in a beloved annual tradition – the passing of the talking stick. My kids made this feather-adorned stick during their preschool days. Whoever is holding the stick simply needs to state what he or she is thankful for.
It doesn’t sound like much, but it is my favorite part of the entire day. My heart overflows with joy as I hear the different blessings each person wants to thank God for. Some are recited through tears, others read from a prepared list, but all come from a heart of gratitude and contentment.
“They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness”
Psalm 145:7
In all our years of participating in this ritual, it’s interesting that not once did I ever hear anyone thank God for money, things, or prestige. Typical thanks include the love and support received from family and friends, for health and safety, and for special memories that were made. Because when it is all said and done, these are the only things that matter. These are the characteristics of an abundant life.
Ladies, we need to remember this truth as we “do life.” We need to stop looking for happiness in the acquisition of things. We need to invest more time in doing the things that we love with the people we love.
There is nothing wrong with having things, as long as we realize that true contentment comes from the things that don’t have a price tag. And those are the things that God graciously provides for an abundant life. And that is something to truly be thankful for.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." - Psalm 100:5-6
Happy Thanksgiving!