Every year it seems, the Christmas season encroaches a little bit more on Thanksgiving. It would be wonderful if the reasons were strictly spiritual, but we all recognize the momentum to be primarily commercial. Advertisers are so focused on Black Friday that Thanksgiving has become more of a lavish meal to fuel the energy of Friday's early risers.
Well, not so in my home. Surrounded by a world that seems to be misplacing values and, in some cases, bent on destroying the foundations of our Faith, Thanksgiving becomes more meaningful with each passing year.
I find myself taking less for granted and appreciating the grace and goodness that has been bestowed upon me by our Heavenly Father. I'm making time to absorb and observe my surroundings and those I love. I find myself embracing now and rushing less, knowing that a spent day will never exist for me again.
I confess that I intentionally oversleep on Friday and steer clear of malls. If I shop at all, I go to small boutiques and quaint independent stores with small town charm.As it happens, I will be packing and moving over Thanksgiving weekend into a home that I fervently prayed for over a year and a half ago. I recall going into that prospective neighborhood one morning around 3:00 just to drive and pray. Although that door closed and we moved instead to our present address, that prayer was answered 4 weeks ago when the owner called and invited us to move in. But God... Another example of how delay is not always denial.
