December 23, 2024

The Power of Public Praise

November 13, 2014 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

Hallelujah! I will praise the Lord with all my heart
in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
The Lord’s works are great, studied by all who delight in them.
All that He does is splendid and majestic;
His righteousness endures forever.
He has caused His wonderful works to be remembered.
The Lord is gracious and compassionate.
Psalms 111:1-4

This is the time of year we begin to focus on all we are thankful for.  We offer our praises and thanks to God.  Why?  Because it brings us great pleasure and comfort to remember all He has done for us.  Our praises delight us but most of all, it delights God and brings Him glory and honor.

But as I reread the first verse (in the above passage) I wondered why it is so important to praise Him publicly.  Being a bit of an introvert, the words ‘assembly’ and ‘congregation’ are disconcerting to me.

Hebrews 2:12 (AMP) states we are to “…declare Your [the Father’s] name to My brethren; in the midst of the [worshiping] congregation I will sing hymns of praise to You.”  And 1 Peter 2:9b (NLT) shows us our praise “…can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.”  Praise reveals God’s wonderful works, His mercy and grace, to others.  Our praise reveals His works in our life.  Those works give others insight into the very character of God.

  • God’s works are magnificent – just like Him
  • God’s works are awe-inspiring – just like Him
  • God’s works are glorious & honorable – JUST LIKE HIM

Ok, you get the picture.  Just look at the list of characteristics given in this passage – great, splendid, righteous, wonderful, gracious, compassionate, glorious, majestic.  Those describe God.  Think about it this way:  Where would we be if David and the other authors of the Bible had not shared their praise with us?  Our knowledge of God would be severely limited.  What if friends or family that had seen God work in their lives—deliver them from trouble and despair—hadn’t shared their praise with us?  Our knowledge of His faithfulness would not be as deep.  If we do not share our praise publicly, we risk limiting someone else’s knowledge of God.

1 Corinthians 14:16 asks the following question:

Otherwise, if you bless and render thanks with [your] spirit
[thoroughly aroused by the Holy Spirit],
how can anyone in the position of an outsider
or he who is not gifted with [interpreting of unknown] tongues,
say the Amen to your thanksgiving,
since he does not know what you are saying?

This made me ask myself, ‘If I am thanking and praising God in private how will anyone else understand much less remember the wonderful works He has done in my life?’

2 Corinthians 9:13 (HCSB) sums it up this way:

They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ,
and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others
through the proof provided by this service.

Others will glorify God when we share our praise with them.  Our public praise helps others see and understand the wonderful works of our faithful God.  That is why our public praise is important; because that’s really what it is all about, isn’t it?

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Father God, thank You for the wonderful works in my life.  Thank You for the times I have seen Your hand at work in my circumstances.  Please help me to be willing to share my praise with others so the can catch a glimpse of Your glory.  In Jesus’ name I ask this – Amen, it is so!

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Expressions of Thanks

November 12, 2014 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever.
He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
Psalms 111:1-4

Thank:  to express gratitude, appreciation, or acknowledgment

In the Southern culture, we are taught from the crib to say ‘thank you’.  If you did not say thank you growing up you were quickly reminded to say it.  How much more should we say it to our Heavenly Father.  Without Him, we would have nothing.

T-hrone
We are to bring our request to the throne of the One who can grant them.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

H-eaven
In Heaven, when we call upon the name of Jesus, He will take them to our Father as our Intercessor.

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is,
because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:27

A-nswered
God will, in His wisdom, answer our prayers. Not always the way we want, but as our Father, Who knows best, does.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also;
and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:12-14

N-oble
From Scripture our thoughts should always focus on what is good and noble. We are to train our thoughts on what is right and pure. Not dwell in the negatives of our lives. When we search and find the light, we will feel lighter and free!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable
—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

K-nowledge
As we begin to train our thoughts …away from the negative and begin to go to the positive… our Father will give us a much greater knowledge of His Word.  We will want to fill our minds and thoughts with His words, His goodness, His mercy, and His ways.

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,
Who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Father, thank You for Your blessings.  Thank You for giving me the opportunity to share my heart with others.  Thank You for being You and for standing with me.  Jesus, thank You for being my Intercessor.  Holy Spirit, thank You for Your touches that bring me back to You.  Continue to give me strength when the way becomes weary.  Help me keep my focus on Your light!  In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

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Thankful

June 11, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!
Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people,
And praise Him at the seat of the elders.
Psalms 107:31-32

My husband and I started trying to grow our family shortly after we got married. Six weeks into our first pregnancy, we got into a huge fight.  Let’s just say that I said some things I wished I had never said.  A short while later, I suffered a miscarriage in the sixth week.  This was so devastating to me and my dear husband.  By the time that the due date rolled around for the miscarried pregnancy, I was halfway through the pregnancy with our son (who would be blessed to share a birthday with one of his maternal great-grandfathers—talk about a great 77th birthday present!).   Needless to say, our son holds a very special place in my heart.

God loves us, and He never leaves us.  He answered our prayers when we tried again.  He answered my prayers when I asked for a boy when I was pregnant. Now most churches do baby dedication on Mother’s Day Sunday.  Of course, since our son was born closer to the end of the year, I missed that round, but I wanted to show God that I was thankful.  So, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, we christened our son in our church.  I purposefully asked for that Sunday, so we could give thanks to God and show our thanks during such a thankful season.
We should give thanks to God for all His love and kindness every day no matter where we are at.  By ourselves, we should thank Him through our prayer and our actions.  God loves us, and He loves showing His kindness to us—just as any good and loving father does.  When we are with a group of believers, we know He is with us because Jesus is with every one of us.  We thank Him through praise and worship, bible study, and group prayer.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all Your loving kindness and wonders.  We praise You and thank You with all our hearts every day.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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CHRISTLife — A Quiet Time (Part Three)

February 22, 2014 by

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Each Saturday recently we have been looking in-depth at a few of the most important aspects of having a quiet time—or as some folks call it—a devotional time.  Already we have talked about two very foundational aspects of a quiet time—Bible reading and singing praises.  This week we are remembering the importance of being thankful and expressing our gratitude to our Father.

Truly, is there anything else that you can think of that can so change your heart’s attitude more than thankfulness?  I don’t think it presumptuous to say that every one of us has had times of worry, sorrow, despair, grief, anguish, pain in which we turned our hearts to seek God and found ourselves praising and thanking Him for His goodness and kindness towards us.  True?

Before we go any further, let’s stop for just five minutes and worship our God voicing our thanks and our praise!


~  Thank You  – Hillsong / Songwriter – Reuben Morgan  ~
Thank You for Your kindness, thank You for Your mercy
Thank You for the Cross, thank You for the price You paid

Thank You for salvation, thank You for unending grace
Thank You for Your hope, thank You for this life You gave

There is no one like You…There is no one like You, God
All my hope is in You, Jesus Jesus

To Your name we give all the glory
To Your name we give all the praise
And You’re alive—Our God everlasting—let Your face shine on us

Thank You for Your promise, thank You for Your favor
Thank You for Your love…everything You’ve done for me

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

The Psalmist, writer of many, many songs of thanks and praise, had this in his heart:

Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!
Who can put into words and tell the mighty deeds of the Lord?
Or who can show forth all the praise [that is due Him]?
Psalms 106:1 and 2 AMP

Who can speak forth enough words to tell all the wonderful, mighty things that God has done?  Or who can utter all the praise that is due Him?  Clearly the simple answer is ‘No one.’  But that doesn’t mean we don’t still thrill to voice our gratitude and thankfulness to our Great God!

I checked out Webster’s definition of thankfulness:

THANK’FUL, adjective.
Grateful; impressed with a sense of kindness received, and ready to acknowledge it.

• The Lord’s supper is to be celebrated with a thankful remembrance of His sufferings and death.
• Be thankful to Him, and bless his name (Psalm 100).

I think Mr. Webster’s definition clearly shows that thankfulness is both thought and action—you ‘sense’ having received <God’s> kindness AND you ‘acknowledge’ it. Here’s a great example:

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come before His presence with singing!
Know that the Lord is God!
It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]!
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving
and a thank offering and into His courts with praise!
Be thankful and say so to Him,
bless and affectionately praise His name!
For the Lord is good;
His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting,
His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.
Psalm 100

The Psalmist was confessing—remembering—just a few things he was grateful for, AND voicing his gratitude.  We can—we should—do the same! We have oh-so-very-much to be thankful for, amen?  We definitely ‘sense’ God’s abundant goodness and kindness to us, true?  And we acknowledge it through our words of gratitude and thankfulness.

I will thank Yahweh with all my heart;
I will declare all Your wonderful works.
Psalm 9:1

I cried to You, O Lord, and to the Lord I made supplication.
Hear, O Lord, have mercy and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper!
To the end that my tongue and my heart
and everything glorious within me
may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Psalms 30:10, 12

So in your quiet time (but not ONLY in your quiet time!) may I encourage you to tell Your Father how very grateful you are for His goodness, for His protection, for His healing, for His deliverance, for His provision, for His calling, for His admonition, for His guidance, for His love, grace and mercy!  And give Him much thanks!  (Perhaps you might share with us something you have thanked Him for just today…?  Leave your comment below; thanks!)

Keep worshipping Him and enjoying your quiet time with your Lord!  As you seek Him, He will be found…He promises!

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What Does Thankfulness Mean to You?

November 28, 2013 by

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Children are out of school for a few days, many people do not have to go to work (though some do), and most of us spend at least some portion of the day with extended family members. As we are in the midst of this celebration, it is a really good thing to stop and consider what it is we are celebrating.

What does thankfulness mean to you? www.girlfriendscoffeehour.com #homeschool #thanksgiving

We all know a bit about the first Thanksgiving and how the settlers joined with the natives to enjoy a meal together. That is something to celebrate. It was how those settlers survived and how our country found its beginning! But shouldn’t we be celebrating something more?

Bible verses about thankfulness

Psalms 95: 2-3  says Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.  For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.

1 Timothy 4: 4-5 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,  because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Our God is great, and above all other gods. His Creation is good! We are to receive it with Thanksgiving, as it has been consecrated by Him.

What does thankfulness mean to you?

I asked some of my friends what thankfulness means to them. Here are some of the things they had to say.

Crystal says, “To me, thankfulness is about choosing to focus on our blessings and not our troubles. It’s a way of life.” Get these free printable gratitude cards to use with your children.

Stephanie offers two of her favorite quotes from others.

“If you never learned the lesson of thankfulness, begin now. Sum up your mercies; see what provision God has made for your happiness, what opportunities for your usefulness, and what advantages for your success.” ~Ida S. Taylor

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. “ ~ W. T. Purkiser

Learn more about Stephanie’s thoughts on thankfulness via  her post 30 Quotes About Thanksgiving and Gratitude.

Michelle is thankful for,”The closeness in my family and the dogs that drive me crazy.” Be sure to head over to visit with Michelle and read Thanksgiving Grace.

Pattis says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, and sometimes the best medicine for a complaining spirit is speaking thanks.” Read her entire post, When the Complaining Creeps Back In.

For me, thankfulness is walked out in how I react to my children and family. It is in the way I serve others. Am I thankful for the opportunity I have to teach my children to be thankful through my actions? Am I serving with a thankful heart?

Here are some quotes from others that I found online.

O Lord, that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
~ William Shakespeare

We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is “good,” because is it good, if “bad” because it works in us patience, humility, and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.
~ C. S. Lewis

No people on earth have more cause to be thankful than ours, and this is said reverently, in no spirit of boastfulness in our own strength, but with the gratitude to the Giver of good who has blessed us.
~ Theodore Roosevelt

Thankfulness Resources & Activities

Encouraging an Attitude of Gratitude

Last Minute Thanksgiving Fun with the Kids

one thousand gifts, about being thankful, gratitude, Eucharisteo. Ann gives a wonderful new perspective in her book; a practical view of how to remain on our knees and thank God, even through the most difficult things in our lives.

What is it that you are thankful for? Share in the comments!

 

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His Love Endures Forever

November 26, 2013 by

 

Don’t you just love to sing this praise anthem?!!?  The words give our hearts such an awesome way to acknowledge God’s goodness and praise Him for His enduring love!

This praise-filled phrase—He is good; His love endures forever—is recorded in many places throughout the Old Testament.  One of the most outstanding records, in my opinion, is found in the 2nd Book of Chronicles, specifically chapters 5-7.

We see (2 Chronicles 5) King Solomon calling the elders of Israel, the leaders, the heads of the tribes (along with all the people of Israel) to accompany the Ark of the Covenant to its long-awaited proper home in the Temple. (It had been his father, David, to whom God has given the vision and provision for the building of the Temple, which was never accomplished in his lifetime.)  The priests brought the Ark to its proper, anointed place in the Holy of Holies.  Surrounding the altar were the Levites and the priests ready to praise in unison with all their instruments and their voices.

The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice.
They raised their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments,
in praise to the LORD: For He is good; His faithful love endures forever.
The temple, the LORD’s temple, was filled with a cloud.
And because of the cloud, the priests were not able to continue ministering,
for the glory of the LORD filled God’s temple.
(Verses 13 and 14)

The record of the dedication of the Temple continues (chapters 6 and 7) as Solomon prays and blesses the people.

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven
and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices,
and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
2 Chronicles 7:1

The peoples response?

When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down
and the glory of the LORD above the temple,
they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground,
and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying,
“He is good; His love endures forever.”
Verse 3

And throughout the continued sacrifices and the ceremony of dedicating the Temple, continual praise “His love endures forever” was offered to God by the priests and the people along with the sacrifices of animals.

And, as such, this <without the animal sacrifice!> should be our continual praise. We are oh-so-very blessed!  The provision and supply that our great God brings to our lives deserves our continual exclamation, “He is good! His love endures forever!”  Just as the psalmist communicates in every single verse of Psalm 136, our conversation and our communication  should always include this praise.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His (steadfast) love endures forever.
Verse 1

As we thank God for His goodness our hearts should overflow with words of gratitude and praise confessing that truly, “His love endures forever!” … Perhaps in your celebration of Thanksgiving with your friends and loved ones, you could have a time of praise and worship and use these same words that David, and Solomon, and the Israelites used to declare God’s goodness.  Because no matter what the age, the situation, the circumstance, the season, the time, the day or the hour… ‘He is good! His love endures forever!’

Here are a few different ways this glorious praise is written in different translations:

  • His love endures forever (NIV)
  • His faithful love endures forever (NLT)
  • His lovingkindness is everlasting (NASB)
  • His mercy endureth for ever (KJV)
  • His steadfast love endures forever (ESV)
  • His love is eternal (HCSB)
  • His loyal love endures (NET)
  • His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting (AMP)
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Quiz Your Thanksgiving Attitude

November 20, 2013 by

It is the week before Thanksgiving, what is going through your mind right now?

  • Who will be at your house?
  • All you have to do.
  • Who you plan to avoid?
  • How will you get it all done?
  • You fill in the blank….

For me, I am thinking how will I get it all done, especially when I have planned to be out of town the weekend before Thanksgiving. I have to put it all in perspective and focus on what is important…my time with family and friends and truly being thankful for all God has blessed me with this year.

What has Thanksgiving been like for you?  Not having the right perspective can send you into a tizzy—not to mention out of control eating.  To stay in control and actually enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Am I focusing on what is important (or worrying about the wrong stuff)?

Make a list of the things that are really important to you.  Then make another list with the things that worry you or consume your thoughts.  Do the lists match?  We spend so much time worrying about things that just do not matter in the long run.  If still unsure, ask yourself if that “worry” will matter next year, or the next, or the next?

  • Do I get mad easily?

Life is too short to let every little thing upset us. Let this year be the year to LET IT GO.

  • Am I willing to ask for help when I need it?

Never think you have to do it all yourself.  I am sure there are others who can do just as good of a job and want to help. What can you delegate today or ask for from a friend or family member?

As we begin the week, I pray that we all keep a perspective on what is really important and not focus on the food, everything that has to be done, or worrying about the wrong stuff.  A good reminder for me is Colossians 1:1-2

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

No matter what is going on in our life, we can see God’s blessings all around us if we stop long enough and meditate on His goodness.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

In Good Health,

Crystalfamily 2012

 

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Let Us Give Thanks

November 14, 2013 by

SeekingHimLogoCome let us sing for joy to the LORD;
Let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving
And extol Him with music and song.
For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
Psalms 95:1-3

Oh, how these verses call us to worship God and to worship Him with joy!  At a time of year when one pauses to think of all the things, the people, and the blessings we are to be thankful for in our lives, there should always be a response of thankfulness in our hearts for our great God and for Who He is in our lives DAILY.  I don’t need a date on the calendar to remind me to be thankful for the Presence of God in my life!  I hope you don’t either because it simply should be an automatic response in your heart if you believe in Him.

Each day is a gift and every day is flooded with reminders of His Presence—from a sunrise and chirping birds to hugs from loved ones that He brings into our lives to truths from His Word springing forth on every page we read. Let us at least bookend our days with prayers to God in thankfulness, just as sure as the sun rises and sets. Let us hug our loved ones with great gratitude to Him for He has taught us to love unconditionally and to be thankful for every moment we have with each of them. And let us never neglect reading His Word to receive the treasures He has waiting for us each day.

On any given day, let our hearts fill with joy! For under the surface of all that we deal with, each day is an abiding joy in a wonderful and Sovereign Lord Who is majestic as the One and Only Almighty King and is also personal and loving to understand our heart cries, prayers, and daily concerns! He is the Rock of our salvation and our Strength!

As our eyes open at the beginning of a new day, let us give thanks. On a quiet, not-much-going-on day, let us give thanks. As the hectic days come along and may multiply during the holiday season, let us give thanks. As we look around at God’s beautiful, exquisite creation that so reminds us of Him each day, let us give thanks. When we, who are believers, remember that He willingly and sacrificially took away our sins at the Cross and rose again to be a living Savior and Lord, let us give thanks. When He holds us in the valleys and shares with us in the mountaintop experiences, let us give thanks. When we are reminded of how much He loves us, let us give thanks. And before we close our eyes at each day’s end, let us give thanks.

* * * * *

Dear Lord,
Let there be a song of joy in our hearts at all times. And when we open our mouths to worship You in song, let us all sing with joy and thanksgiving for You are our great God and King like no other! We love, adore, and praise You! Each day, let us come to You with thanksgiving.  In Jesus’ precious Name we pray,
Amen.

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Thanksgiving

October 22, 2013 by

SeekingHimLogo

O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth forever.
I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
Psalm 118:5

We are about to enter that ever-so-busy and often hectic season—the holiday season.  It is hard to believe that the holiday season is already back.  It seems like we just rung in the New Year. Yet, here we are again.  Life goes on.  Now back to the holiday season.  In our family you could pretty much say that the holiday season starts for us at Halloween, even though it is a holiday.  There is one major important holiday between Halloween and Christmas that is possibly losing its footing in this modern era—Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is the time to give thanks to the Lord for the many blessings that He has given us through the year and throughout our lives.  The Pilgrims started the holiday for this very reason. They were thankful that the Lord had brought them across the Atlantic Ocean safely.  They were thankful for the blessings that the Lord had given.  They were thankful for the mercy the Lord showed them in helping them survive that first year in their new land.

Noah did something similar when he left the ark:

Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal
and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Genesis 8:20

 Noah gave thanks to the Lord for choosing him and his family to survive the great flood that covered the earth and caused massive destruction. He gives thanks by building the altar and sacrificing (which was the norm in Noah’s time) animals to the Lord.  The Lord saw this, and He decided not to destroy the earth with water again.  He blessed Noah and his family from then on.

Just as Noah and the Pilgrims gave thanks to God for their survival and their provisions, we should, too.  We should not just observe it in November, but we should give thanks every day for the blessings that God has given us.  Being thankful for God’s love and standing with Him will bring us many blessing through our lives.

*****

 Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your blessings.  Thank You for giving us the life we have. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to bring us back to You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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Special Post – Thanksgiving Traditions Part 2

November 23, 2012 by

Today we are continuing the second in a two-part feature. Girlfriends Coffee Hour leaders and members have shared some of their Thanksgiving traditions for us! Do you have a special tradition for Thanksgiving? Leave a comment and tell us about it! We would love to hear what it is! If not, maybe the stories shared below will spark some ideas for new traditions in your home!

Have a blessed Day-After Thanksgiving Day!
Jennifer

***

Liz – For Thanksgiving – I have a thankful jar that sits on the living room table year round. All year, we add things to the jar that we are thanksful for and on Thanksgiving we pull out the pieces of paper and read them . When we are done, ( a few weeks later) I paste them all into a yearly thankful journal, so I will be able to keep the kids thoughts, thankfulness and handwriting forever.

For Christmas – I wrap 25 Christian themed Christmas books the week after Thanksgiving and put them under a special Book Tree in the kids room. Just a small Christmas tree in their room that they decorate every year with handmade ornaments. Every night of Advent, before bed, we unwrap a book and read it together. It reminds them of the reason we celebrate Christmas and we get some quality time each night to spend together. On Christmas Eve , we read the Christmas Story together as a family.

***

Sarah – We always buy our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. We go as an entire family, aunts, uncles, grandmas & grandpas. It’s a lot of fun!!

***

Laurie – On Thanksgiving evening, my boys and go for a walk, start the Christmas music, break out the hot cocoa and put up our decorations. Then we light candles, turn out all the lights, lay under the tree and tell what our Christmas list is. <3<3 love that time with my family!!

***

Teresa: Since we have had so many girls living with us, we make a menu together, invite friends who do not have a place to go on Thanksgiving and make dishes in shifts together. Last year was good, here at home, but my mom and brothers were 3 hours away without us.

Can’t please everyone all the time. We do talk about the things that have changed in the past year, what we are thankful for and what we have learned. Our family is always in a state of change.

We stress the importance of being “ever thankful”, not just on Thanksgiving Day. It has helped us survive some pretty rocky times the last few years.

***

Shandy – Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and having a big dinner with the whole family prepared by my mom!

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Jennifer B. – My sister made me a “thankful” book 3 years ago. (she is into scrapbooking and it is beautiful) Everyone at our house on Thanksgiving wrote on a page stating what they were thankful for, even great-grandma on my husbands side! I love to read thru the book to read everyone’s blessings…..btw, our family has grown by four, soon-to-be 5 children since then so I cannot wait to read this years blessings of thanks from everyone…..how precious it will be to have for my grandchildren, great grand children etc. A great family keepsake! 🙂

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Donna – Our Thanksgiving tradition is two fold. First in order to enjoy the meal we start at the head of the table, take our time and go around the whole table, ( there are usually around 20 or more of us!) and say what we have been thankful for that year. Then after the meal is over and cleaned up we play a game of some sort with everyone who is there. One of us shops for a new game every year and bring it to play. It’s lots of fun and helps us all interact together! Just what Thanksgiving is all about!!

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Colleen –

Events: We have an open house *usually on thanksgiving night but occasionally moved to friday evening*. It is our ‘praise and prayer and pie’ event! Very casual. sometimes we just have a few folks; once we had over 20—that was SO nice! Love just sitting around singing praise songs and some hymns; My husband, Robert, plays his guitar.

Food:
Robert and i always brine the turkey together…it is quite a process but i like that we do it together. (he must, too, ’cause he already asked me if i need the giant stockpot down yet 😉;-) no, dear, not yet!)

Frou-frou:
I start putting up the fall/thanksgiving decorations in early October! When Robert brings the storage totes (yes, there are 3 of them!) up from the basement, I get so excited! There’s always a couple of things that I don’t remember we have; such fun! And, of course, the little mementos that our grandchildren have made. Last year and this year, we made a paper chain that we just keep adding onto…you have strips of paper (like construction paper), and you write a praise or something you are thankful for, etc.; and then just keep adding on to the end. We always ask those who join us for thanksgiving dinner AND the praise & prayer time to add onto it, too.

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