New Ways To Remember Thanksgiving With Love

Thanksgiving is an extraordinary time of year for so many reasons. But one main reason is that it is the start of the holiday season. And, just about every woman knows that when dinner is over, the shopping season begins.

Thanksgiving embodies tradition for a lot of women. This can be a sorrowful time of year for some and very joyous for others.

• Many women are dealing with grief and loss. The holiday reminds them of those who are not there to celebrate those traditions that have long been a part of family activities.
• For others, it is a joyous time of new and old traditions, possibly new family members, and love mixed with sharing.

Either way, you can do some things to make the holiday your own.

Remember the love of God and the warmth of sharing in the season.

Women need the love of Christ more than ever during the holidays. If you are that woman trying to get through the holidays, let me share some ideas that may help your heart, family, and maybe even a new person or group this season.  

At times the thing that we need the most is the thing we need to give away to someone else. Do not be timid to reach out to others this season. You never know who needs the love and fellowship during this time of year. Thanksgiving is an excellent opportunity to do that because there is always someone hurting that requires a caring face or an act of kindness shown to them.

Focusing on traditions during Thanksgiving brings memories back.

Families are usually in the kitchen cooking and laughing. Children are running around everywhere. The dad is the only one who cooks the turkey and slices it with his special knives. The mom and her sisters make the best yams, greens, and cranberry sauce on the planet. Then the aunt has the best dinner rolls and starts the holiday shopping with all the sales. But we cannot forget the grandmother with the best cornbread dressing and pies that everyone waited for all year.

But what if these traditions change?

That special family member passed away this year, a move across the country, expenses, or other circumstances changed how it looks.

 

Can you remember the holiday with love if you, or someone in your family, hurt so much from a loss that you can barely heat frozen dinner?

 

How will you share your faith when you feel faithless this year due to loss or another situation?

Sharing Love: Remembering Thanksgiving with Love

 Here are a few ideas:

• Invite a church member, friend, or neighbor to dinner

Thanksgiving is a great time to share a meal with a church member, friend, or neighbor. Instead of cooking only for your family, why not cook the entire meal for someone else that cannot cook.

I remember when I cooked the whole Thanksgiving dinner for a friend. I took it to her and her children. She had just come from the hospital and was recovering on bedrest.

Get together with your family and think about who you could share a meal with on the special day. There may be a widow at church that will be experiencing her first Thanksgiving alone. Ask God what you can do. See how He invites you to show His love this holiday.

• Serve at a shelter or other location serving the less fortunate.

Take time this holiday and serve others less fortunate. Ask around at the local shelters and see what you and your entire family could do this year for them. See what needs they have and be a blessing to them. Maybe your church is serving dinner to the community. Perhaps you can cook, serve, or greet people during this time. Maybe you could make food or dessert baskets. Serving is a great way to make the holiday more meaningful.

• Start a new tradition

Nothing is saying you and your family cannot start a new tradition. Begin a tradition of giving in remembrance or honor of your special someone. Maybe start a new tradition involving all the children. One that they can pass down as the years go by… quickly. Perhaps ‘new’ is what you need this year if you are in this place of anguish over the holidays.

Sharing the love of God this season is what is essential. People always remember what you do for them more than what you say to them. So, say it with sharing this year, and let the love of Christ speak louder than anything.

Happy Gratitude Month of November. I am so grateful for you as a member of this community!