. . . season of giving thanks . . . and families . . .

November is here with her biting wind, promise of snow, and the shift in sunlight which whispers to our souls, “slow down…cuddle up inside and be thankful.”

Yesterday my husband was out hunting . . . I had to be at church early . . . and we had guests at the house. Needless to say, it was a bit crazy. When the pastor of our church asked us to share something we were thankful for, though, I reflected back to that moment when I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, stomp my feet, run out of my house, board an airplane with a one way ticket to that perfect place of peace (that I have cut out of the Travel and Leisure magazine and inside my “to-do” folder . . .) I thought back to that moment, and thought about how thankful I am for my eldest daughter . . .whom in that moment, put her hand on mine and said, “I can do it. You can go. I can help.” Just when I thought I was going to crumble, I was reminded how thankful I am for family. We weren’t designed to do it alone. I am thankful for my family.

Several weeks ago, I had the COMPLETE JOY . . . seriously, it was my total and complete pleasure to spend the afternoon with this delightful family.

This sweet family helped, as well, to remind me that it is good for our hearts to give thanks, and isnʼt it wonderful when we do stop the madness for a moment and count our blessings?

Blessing 1: Family lounging around all Thanksgiving Day in sweats, no pressing agenda except watching parades and football.

Blessing 2: Donning your cutest apron while whipping up a homemade pie or two a la Martha Stewart, the little angels helping to measure out the ingredients.

Blessing 3: Food on the table when all come to sit down, shining family smiles, and a perfectly browned turkey as the centerpiece.

It is true abundance.

But, we all know the hubbub of real life: companyʼs coming, youʼre hollering at the kids from one room in the house to the other, thereʼs flour all over the cook and the floor, not to mention the spices!

Rememer the spices? (Just in case you are new here . . . or didn’t hear about the spices . . . oh, the spices . . . CLICK HERE!)

When the food is finally done, everyone clamors up to the table to eat, and at that point, exhausted, youʼd probably rather take a long nap than be thankful.

Or if when Dad takes the knife to the turkey and it deflates like the Griswold family turkey, you may just burst into tears!

So before the house is buzzing with out of town guests, before the flour needs swept from the floor, and before tears of exhaustion leave you frazzled, we thought weʼd help you take that breath, slow down a minute… and be thankful.

Thankful for family: the ones who know you intimately, the good and the bad, your history and your dreams.

Thankful for where we live: mountains surrounding, beautiful grasses and trees, fresh water flowing. Thankful for home: warmth, peace and love under your roof.

Thankful that we have what we need: Food to nourish the body, shelter from the cold weather, clothing for warmth.