Sing and dance for God as the music moves you. When we praise our God in this way, our hearts indeed grow in thanksgiving.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34
Thanksgiving is upon us. Not to strike a bit of panic, but it’s less than 5.5 weeks away. Yep, in less than a month and a half, the turkey and stuffing will be gracing the dining room table (the one that has been collecting dust all year), and the smells of pumpkin pie will be filling our kitchens.
Family members will again be united, and laughter will fill our homes. Football will be streaming on the living room TV, and you can count on some of those guests succumbing to the tryptophane watching the big game behind closed eyelids. Others will be chatting over coffee or playing board games.
Oh, Thanksgiving. Precious Thanksgiving. A time of year we gather and reflect on all of our blessings. A cherished time we come together for one main purpose: giving thanks to God for His love and faithfulness.
As a little girl, I always anticipated this time of year. My mom always got up early (while it was still dark) to put that big bird in the oven. Her rummaging around in the kitchen usually woke me, and quite honestly, I looked forward to it. It prompted me to creep into the kitchen, sit on the counter and talk with her as she busily (and sleepily) prepped for the day. It’s as if this quaint and simple moment marked the day—the holiday season had officially begun!
Later that morning, my dad would make cocoa, and we would watch the parade until all the guests began to stream in. My sister and I would be bathed in hugs and kisses, all the while inching our way to the backdoor so we could run around outside.
It’s memories like these that will always be cherished and remembered. Simple, yes. But ever so tucked into my heart as a long-lasting special “core memory,” as Joy from Inside Out would characterize. These memories shape who we are, leaving an imprint on our lives.
However, while this time of year can be a little nostalgic, and we may set out to re-create childhood memories, it can also be a time to bring forth new traditions. Either way, these experiences we aim to share and build with our families can bring a mixed bag of feelings to the surface. Maybe there is pressure to pull off a seamless meal. Maybe there is apprehension with the thought of traveling with little ones. Maybe your childhood holidays stir up pain instead of joy. Maybe the vacant seat at the table makes your heart so heavy you find it difficult to celebrate.
Thanksgiving, as beautiful as it is and as much as we have to be thankful for, can easily become overwhelming and filled with angst. Sometimes it’s difficult to see through the fog of the season and embrace the many blessings tucked within.
So, friend, if your heart is heavy, don’t grow discouraged because you are not alone. Here are a few ways to realign your heart with gratitude and thanksgiving:
1. Take Time to Get Quiet
Psalm 46:10 is one of my favorite verses. There is something truly special about being still before the Lord. When we pull ourselves away from the mundane and busy tasks set before us and put our hearts in the Father’s hands, something beautiful happens. It most likely won’t happen instantaneously, but when we go to Him, time and time again, and meet with Him, seeking His presence and praising His holy and precious name, He will meet us where we are and remind us of His unfailing love and faithfulness.
Just a few moments in His Word and in prayer will fill your heart, giving you the ability to see the bounty of blessings that lay before you.
2. Pray Without Ceasing
What does praying without ceasing really look like? Paul explains in 1 Thessalonians 5:17-19 that we are to give thanks “in all things,” for this is God’s will for us. God knows our hearts and our need to feel connected to Him. In going to the Lord in prayer throughout our day, giving Him thanks and praise, we begin to fill that void in our hearts that only He can fill.
Being in constant prayer and conversing with the Lord, thanking Him for all He has done, reminds us there is more than this life here on earth. Reaching out to our heavenly Father gives up the opportunity to shift our focus off us and our circumstances, placing our thoughts on who Christ is to us (2 Corinthians 5:17) and the everlasting hope He brings (2 Corinthians 4:18).
Feel distant or lack words? Start with a simple prayer:
Lord, thank you for Your faithfulness and promise of unfailing love. While I know You are a good Father, I seek your presence. I need You. Please draw near. Touch my heart and grant me strength to see and obey your will for my life. Amen.
3. Worship and Praise Him in Song
There is something about music that targets our hearts and souls. A certain song can play and really strike a chord. That’s because “our song” (even if out of tune, like mine) is worship. We see throughout God’s Word just how powerful music is. Psalms holds a collection of beautiful songs and prayers of worship given to our God. Below are just a few:
"Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." Psalm 33:3
"My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed." Psalms 71:3
"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." Psalms 100:1-2
Turn up the praise and worship music this season and let it resonate with you as you let the rhyme and rhythm penetrate your soul. Sing and dance for God as the music moves you. When we praise our God in this way, our hearts indeed grow in thanksgiving.
4. Keep It Simple
Lastly, as we enter this busy season often accompanied by the need to “do it all,” leading to a road of frustration and comparison, pause and reflect on what is truly important. It is so easy to lose our focus this time of year and begin getting swept away by the hustle and bustle of it all. Try to be intentional with your time by gauging your attitude, perspective, and responses.
If you need to order take-out because cooking dinner may be too much, then do so. If you need to set aside time to be quiet in the midst of the gathering because you feel overwhelmed, then quietly slip away and seek solace. If you notice your responses are in haste and not coming across as sincere, own up to that, apologize, and take a deep breath. This time of year can create many emotions, so allow yourself grace and space as needed.
Keeping it simple doesn’t mean you aren’t investing time, energy, and love into the holidays; it means you are shifting your priorities and focusing on the “heart” of the season. May we all plan to make more room for that and fill our hearts with thanks, offering it all to the Lord.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Marinela Malcheva
