by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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| My favorite Hallmark Christmas Movie |
by Cathy Baker
I’m perfectly content siding with the those who are not prepared for Hallmark Christmas movies beginning in October or brushing up against fake-o tree limbs in the aisles of favorite stores while fumbling for the candy corn. No, not yet!
I mean, what happened to the celebration of Thanksgiving?
Could it be that merchandisers don’t begin displaying turkey platters two months in advance because of money, or lack thereof? Let’s face it, tons of turkeys will give their gobble-laden necks to fill our feastly tables, but other than food, what else do people purchase for this particular holiday? Exactly.
Growing up, I was blessed to experience Thanksgivings reminiscent of Rockwell renderings. As an only child, I relished the warmth of a big family as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins surrounded the holiday table. The sound of familiar laughter, the telling of fondly remembered stories, and the faces of my family surface every Thanksgiving. We could’ve made our own Hallmark movie.
This year, with our family going in all different directions, I’ll be serving food on Thanksgiving to our community through a ministry Summit Upstate sponsors, Feast for All. If you’re available and would like to serve in some capacity, please email me (click the “e” button on the sidebar.)
So, while I plan to enjoy Hallmark Christmas movies come December, this month I will intentionally focus on the holiday grounded in gratitude.
How about you?
Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…Ephesians 5:20
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3
On this day of Thanksgiving, know that I thank God for you, our friendship, and the time you spend with me here.
Happy Thanksgiving!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Today, let’s focus on Thanksgiving! We’ll turn our attention to Christmas on Monday.
Thankfulness: Write it down.
So, what better opportunity to write someone who has left an indelible impression on your life? Be as specific as possible when sharing why you’re thankful for them. Tell them how they made you feel or how God used them to draw you closer to Him. An email will do, but nothing trumps a handwritten note for the personal touch.
Another way to share the gift of thankfulness in the written form is to give thought as to why you’re thankful for those who will be seated around your Thanksgiving table. Purchase white place cards or make them yourself (very easy!) On the front, write the person’s name. Inside, begin with “Why I’m thankful for you” and then share one reason you’re thankful for them. Take turns reading the cards around the table, inviting others to share why they’re also thankful for each person.
One last idea is to begin, if you haven’t already, a gratitude journal. A great place to start is by reading Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts. I’m currently enjoying the devotional that goes along with the book. Inside, there’s space to jot down our own 1,000 gifts of gratitude.
Simple but oh so meaningful.
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you
a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having
the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope
to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious
inheritance in the saints…” Ephesians 1:16-18
