As a parent and grandparent I can’t think of anything that pleases me more than for my children and grandchildren to be obedient and respectful. That is what I have spent my life trying to teach them and it really does my heart good to see them living out what I have taught. I call this thanks-living. It is a great way to give thanks during this holiday season.
As a student of the Bible, I think the same is true of God as He observes our lives. We can tell Him how thankful we are, although we don’t do that often enough, but if we live our lives in obedience to His commands I think that pleases Him above anything else we could do or say. Thanks-living is a great testimony to what God has done and is doing in our lives. Instead of designation one day a year as Thanksgiving let’s designate every day as thanks-living.
Holiday traditions
Many of the holiday traditions of the past have disappeared. I can remember when our entire family would gather at mama’s for her famous Thanksgiving turkey and dressing with all the trimmings. Some years the weather was terrible and trying to get all 60-75 of us inside that small house was impossible. Folks were seeking shelter from the elements and from the crowd. Here is what the house looks like now. Quite a change from those days of my youth.
These days it’s almost impossible to get my immediate family together for the holidays. We are all working and going in different directions. And Joni, my wife, cooks the turkey and dressing exactly as my mom did. There is always plenty to eat. It’s amazing how life changes. We have lots of room and still can’t get our children and grandchildren here every year. So this year we decided to all go to Myrtle Beach as a family for Thanksgiving. There IS more than one way to skin a cat. (Whatever that means!) No matter what your traditions are, my family and I still want to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and Successful Thanks-living.
Most folks begin to seriously look for Christmas shopping ideas around this time of year so let me help you with that. Here are some great gift ideas for Christmas.
