November 24, 2011 Journal Entry. Another reason to be thankful to God.

Happy Thanksgiving Eternal Father! This morning, I woke to the following thoughts. “I am so grateful for You and all that You have done for me LORD. I am most thankful for October 20, 2008; the day You saved a wretch like me! I am in awe of You and I adore You! I can’t wait to spend this day in Your presence. I know now that everything else in this life pales in comparison to You. Bring glory to Your name today LORD. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”

And, now as I lay my head down to sleep, I begin to reflect upon the entire day. Once again, my heart fills with gratitude. Thank You, Father, for the wonderful Thanksgiving Day feast! I truly enjoyed spending our meal as a family and with LeeRoy’s coworkers. Not to mention, the meal You planned for us was one of, no, was the tastiest, turkey meals I have ever eaten! I am so grateful I didn’t have to spend the day on my feet cooking and cleaning as usual. What a wonderful and perfect gift. I am yet again overwhelmed by Your goodness! 

November 16, 2011 Journal Entry. Letting Go of the World's Traditions. Following God's Ways Instead.

            Almighty God and Father, I worship You and I give You thanks. Today I find myself feeling a sense of freedom from an old habit of trying to fit into the world in which we live. It used to be that I’d participate in manmade traditions without giving them a second thought. However, this year, I feel a tug on my heart to follow Your ways instead.

It'll Thanksgiving Day soon, a day I normally spend slaving in the kitchen while family members watch sporting events and snack on personal favorites.

However, now that our adult children are out on their own now, and I’d most likely have to plead with them to return home for the holiday, I am second guessing all the fuss. After all, our youngest son Travis isn’t fond of the entire turkey meal and it sure would be a lot of work and money for just my husband and me. Not to mention, this time, LeeRoy’s visit may be shorter than normal due to his work schedule.

You know, a funny thing happened today just as I began to reconsider how we might spend the holiday. My husband called home. I couldn't help but smile when he began to speak my thoughts out loud. “I can only return home for a few days this time. Would you consider driving south and joining me at my worksite for the holiday? The campground is hosting a Thanksgiving Day meal and I can make reservations for dinner if you’d like.” No cooking? No cleanup? No fussing? No expectations? “Yes!” I screamed in his ear. 

          Right away, my heart started to fill with excitement. I can't wait for an entire week, spent with my husband free of obligation. I can’t wait to see all that You have planned for us, LORD. This Thanksgiving, Travis and I will be with LeeRoy in Calipatria! I can't wait!

Thanksgiving Day this year is Devoted to Praising God!

"Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; 

and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness." (Psalm 97:12)

This year, I have given up on the idea of having a traditional Thanksgiving Day celebration! I am not hosting a big dinner, enticing my 23, 22, 17-year-old children to come home, or attempting to travel to my parents home to join their celebration. Instead, for the first time, my husband and I have decided to take a break on the world's expectations and use this day to focus on praising God!

It all started when the thought of a traditional holiday first crossed my mind and a feeling of heaviness overtook my soul. I didn't have money this year to afford the cost of dinner. Further, I knew many of my neighbors would use the occasion to "drop by." And, my energy level was already running low. So, when my husband and I began to fight over our separation in miles, I through my hands up and said, "That's it! No Thanksgiving Day celebration this year."

Soon after, my husband and I prayed together and for each other. We realized that being together was more important than what the world expected we should do. We decided to compromise. I would make the drive down south with our youngest son and join my husband for a week's vacation at the KOA. In turn, my husband would arrange for us to have dinner together for Thanksgiving Day. The rest of the week, we would rest and enjoy each others' company with no hoops to jump through, no fake smiling for family members and no dressing up. We decided to use our extra time to praise God for all that He has done for our marriage and our family.

Once we made this decision, God started to show off and reveal the plans He had laid before us. First, my husband learned that the KOA is hosting a complete Thanksgiving day meal. As short-term residents, we were cordially invited to join in on the festivities. I immediately smiled and praised God! We would still be having turkey dinner, only now, no one had to cook, clean up or referee the usual fighting between adult children.

Next, God relocated my husband's campsite. Now, our 5th wheel would sit directly next to a free swimming pool and jacuzzi. With each call home, my husband provided another opportunity to praise God and see the work the Lord was doing to create a holiday to remember.

As a result, I have begun celebrating Thanksgiving Day early this year by introducing a new tradition of praising God and rejoicing over His love for me. I can't wait to see what God has planned for next year!

 

Thanksgiving Day & Giving to the Poor Should go Hand in Hand

       

 

 Matthew 25:45 (NKJV) "Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me." 

 

        It was almost Thanksgiving Day, and for the first time, after eight years, my stepson was not coming home for the holiday. I felt sad and the sting of rejection. I decided to go grocery shopping for a three person meal. As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed a homeless man I didn’t know. I pulled over to the curb and got out of my car. I handed the young man a bible and $5.00. After speaking with him for a few minutes I began to testify to him about God’s love. I was pleasantly surprised when he said he was a Christian too. I gave the young man my name and shook his hand. As we grasped hands, he looked at me with wonder in his eyes. He then asked, “You’re Donna?” After I nodded “Yes,” he said, “I have heard about you.” He proceeded to tell me how I was loved by one particular homeless man in our town. My heart melted. I cried all the way home that day, thanking God that I was making a difference in someone’s life.

      Without a doubt, the greatest gift of my life has been the gift of God's love. As a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ, I am commanded to share this love with others, especially those less fortunate than me. Matthew 25:45 "Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me."(NKJV)  That's why this Thanksgiving Day will also be a day of alms-giving; a day of sending gifts to the poor. It is my true desire that while I am spending the day feasting and rejoicing, that the heart of the poor might rejoice with me!

If you are a victim of Hurricane Sandy, please feel free to contact me through the comment section below. I would love to pray for you personally.

To read the author's personal testimony, please go to:

http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781613791936