Gratitude and Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving.

It stirs up warm fuzzy feelings...
...or cold dread.

It evokes the memories of turkey and stuffing cooking, the smells of pumpkin and apple pies in the oven, and warm family dinners...or it jars the heart with family division, arguments, judgments and criticism. 

Whatever the family dynamics, Thanksgiving is a time of expressly showing gratitude for all we are blessed with. Whatever side of history you are on, Thanksgiving is a time to get
​together with those we love and care about (sometimes that is NOT family) and enjoy company, good food and blessings. 
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It is a time when we get to practice patience and tolerance (especially when we are trying desperately to dodge political conversations) with those we may not see very often, but read their Facebook posts on a somewhat regular basis. It is a time to continue to move into the longer nights and enjoy more rest and relaxation. It's a time to work together and laugh together. It's a time to remember our past, both our personal past and our nation's past, and give thanks for the good and to vow not to repeat the bad. 

It's a time for feasting and enjoyment. It's a time to reflect and pause. It's a time to remember those we miss, whether it is those not present or those who are no longer with us. It's a time of looking deep inside and begin to let go of this year and prepare for the next; a time to prune the dead branches and cultivate the soil to get ready for Advent and prepare our hearts for Christmas, which is far more important that the holiday parties we have planned.

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It is a time to forget politics and grudges and move forward with forgiveness when we've been wronged and to seek forgiveness when we've done wrong. Forgiveness is curious, though. Forgiveness is always about the person who is forgiving, not the person being forgiven. We often forget that. Some relationships are too toxic to be restored. And when relationships are too toxic to be restored, forgiveness is only done in the heart of the person who was wronged. It is not the tangible, outward sign that we often want it to be. Forgiveness is always about the heart, not the acceptance of the other person or the restoration of the relationship. Those are just bonuses. Not everyone gets that. And not everyone gets that beautiful family dinner with an abundance of fond memories. It can be a challenging season for some. 

So reach out to someone today. Give them a reason to smile. Give them piece of your warmth and gratitude. Heck, invite them over for Thanksgiving. Give them the gift they may not get at the holiday. ​