This week we are doing something we haven’t done before – we are packing up all our children and grandchildren and heading north to the mountains for Thanksgiving.  We are more than excited and for so many reasons:

This is the first time in 10 years our son hasn’t been in college.
This is the first time in five years neither of our married children are expecting a baby or nursing a baby.
This is the first time our youngest daughter is able to join us for the entire week.
This is the first time we’ve gone away for Thanksgiving – my favorite holiday.
And most of all this is the first time ever we’ve taken a family vacation together out of state.

It will be a week of memory making and playing games together for sure.  But Tom is purposing for it to be more.  He called each of our sons tonight to say,

“The word I want you to meditate on this week is ‘gratefulness’.  Let’s purpose to think of those things for which we’re most grateful.  And not only think, but speak of them aloud.  Let’s tell each other the things we’re thanking God for this year.”

Ah!  It’s like a fresh breeze of Thanksgiving blowing through our family.  Much change has happened this past year.  We have been caught in the swirl of uncertainty causing us to cling to the only One who is unchanging – God.  He has been our anchor, our shelter and our rock.  Who is there besides HIM?  My soul knows this full well.
As we pull away from our home in our over packed car, I am certain of this:  God will be magnified in all we do.  He is the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving.  It isn’t just thanking this person or that person for making our life easier.  It’s about thanking GOD from whom all blessings flow. He is the only reason we have anything to celebrate.
Tom and I are blessed in many ways; we have a family who loves our Savior.  We have a church family full of friends we love dearly.  We have pastors who care for our souls.  And we have the ability to give back to others for all we have so graciously received.  What a life – what a Savior – what a God!
As the fresh breezes of Thanksgiving blow across your home, what are you thanking God for?