Thanksgiving Week 2023

Don’t you love it when a plan comes together? Like thousands of pickup sticks falling into some sort of exquisite, balanced conglomeration?

This fall and winter holiday season has blown in as suddenly as a gusty wind. How can it be less than forty-eight hours before Thanksgiving Day?

I smiled at a friend’s Facebook post: “It’s only 8:00 am, and I’m already tired!” My exact sentiment yesterday as I dragged myself out of bed for an eye appointment. Slightly overwhelmed while wrangling all the necessary still-to-be-done holiday preparations, I wondered if I could reschedule. Or has my time come for cataract surgery? One more consideration crammed into this holiday week.

After leaving the doctor’s office (my dilated eyes shaded with sunglasses), to-do things popped into my mind. Parked in front of a book store, I joined a zoom meeting by phone, rather than racing home, so I could accomplish those other do-it-now, out and about errands afterwards. Later, after pulling into our garage, I finally figured out how to unlock the hood of my car (the latch hiding in not-so-plain sight), and gave the totally empty windshield washer reservoir a long, blue drink. Swept up in the do-it-now momentum, the leaves on the garage floor were also swept away.

It’s fun to watch holiday preparations unfold. Who knew this afternoon cleaning my desk would become a priority in the forty-eight hour countdown? Oh…and laundry…yep, gotta have clean necessities for the week!

What happened to that tired gal from yesterday morning? By God’s grace and gentle guidance, peace, order, and strength infused each next tiny step. What joy! My thousand pickup sticks somehow delicately, precariously remained intact.

I pray during this holiday season God blesses you with peace and hope amidst your busyness and concerns. May goodness result as your plans…especially those surprisingly necessary ones…come together. And if your holidays are filled with things weighing you down, may God’s rest and presence fill your heart.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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LORD, thank You for being present in the details of our days. “Fear not…be anxious for nothing” applies to even our smallest concerns. You are with us, closer than the air we breathe, available to lead, guide, direct, bring peace, no matter the challenge. Thank You, LORD, for offering us Yourself. There is no greater gift. Help us to be truly thankful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Philippians 4:6 NLT “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV “Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Luke 1:37 NKJV “For with God nothing will be impossible.”