A Lifestyle of Thankfulness

I love Thanksgiving. It’s my favorite holiday…even more so than Christmas. I enjoy every bit of the fall season (or the slight

resemblance we have of a fall season here in Texas.) Cooler weather. Pumpkin everything. Thanksgiving preparation. Yes, I’m the person that plans their menu weeks in advance and spends the days leading up to the big day staying up late and prepping food. The food is one of the best parts! And another bonus for me is leftovers. If we happen to eat our Thanksgiving meal at another family member’s home, I’ve been known to make our own Thanksgiving meal afterwards, just so we can have leftovers.

This is a once a year event. Go big or go home.

I’ve learned that I experience great joy when it comes to feeding people that I love and care about. Maybe that could be a love language? Loving people with food. It probably falls under acts of service or something.

Growing up, my family had a tradition at Thanksgiving: before we prayed and enjoyed our meal, we had to name several things we were thankful for in our lives. And I actually remember this being hard for me sometimes, when clearly it shouldn’t have been. Because even though I didn’t have everything I wanted, all my needs were more than covered. I never missed a meal, I had a closet full of clothes and a roof over my head.

But honestly, I think we should be mindful of our blessings much more than just once a year at Thanksgiving. I believe we should cultivate a lifestyle of thankfulness. I’ve been putting this into practice in my own life. Whenever I catch myself falling into the trap of “oh, I wish I had that,” or “why can’t my house look like that,” etc., I quickly reel it in by reminding myself of the great abundance I do have in my life. A home, which happens to be my dream home. A pantry overflowing with food. A car. My health. A family that loves me. Friends that care about me and would help me at a moment’s notice, if I needed it. Every kitchen gadget known to man to assist in my love of cooking, baking and feeding people. The list goes on.

And I want my son to learn how to be thankful and grateful. A couple of months ago we started asking him to share things he was thankful for while we’d get him ready for bed. And I was amazed at some of the things he would say. Not just “my toys,” but things like, “my church, my parents, my school.”

As we quickly approach the holiday season, I encourage you to reflect and focus on the good things in your life, and make it a habit you start with your family. Let’s practice being thankful more than just once a year, and embark on a lifestyle of thankfulness.