Thanksgiving

It’s been awhile friends!  Life has certainly gotten hectic leading up to my first break at work since July!  I have never been so excited for a little vacay from work, sports schedules etc.!  This is my favorite time of the year.  The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are always filled with fun family gatherings, special events and parties, yummy food, and shopping!  All of these things put my happy meter in over-drive!  My Christmas trees are up and decorated and this girl is ready to spread some holiday cheer!  

WAIT!  (record scratch sound)

We all tend to skip right over the holiday of Thanksgiving.  Certainly, we all cook for it and eat AT it.  However, it tends to just be a gateway to the bigger holiday of Christmas.  Hello...Black Friday!  We must CARB load for that day, am I right?!  That is a serious sport that requires lots of energy and patience!  The one with the most deals WINS!  

With all jokes aside, I do want to give the holiday of Thanksgiving the respect it deserves.

As some of you know, I am doing a Bible Study called “Anxious for Nothing- Finding Calm in a Chaotic World,” by Max Lucado.  My church, 12Stone, also started a series on anxiety last Sunday.  I think the Lord is trying to teach me how to deal with this issue in my life from all angles.  I love it when His voice is so clear!

Philippians 4:4-8  says, Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Let’s face it friends, being a mother, and even a wife, can sometimes be a thank-less job.  Many of us work full time and then come home and continue to work for everyone else in our homes until our heads hit the pillow at night.  We often are tired, grumpy, and hear words from our family such as “you are so mean,” “you never let me…,” “why do I always have to…,”  “just relax mom,” etc.  Our to-do lists never get completed, only added to.  It’s very rare that anyone says “Thank You.”

 This week, I caught myself getting really upset about this.  I wanted to go “on strike” and let my family fend for themselves.  However, God stopped me in my tracks with this poisonous thought.  He revealed that I am just as guilty of this as they are.  I am Thank-less for all of the blessings I have in my life.  How often, in times of stress and anxiety, do I stop and “Rejoice, and let my gentleness be evident to all.”  How many times do I begin prayer in Thanksgiving?  Usually, it’s just the opposite.  Usually, I am so stressed that I am raising my voice (ok, yelling) for people in my home to follow MY plan!  In prayer, I am PLEADING for God to fix the messes that I have made by trying to do things my own way!  

On Sunday, our pastor pointed out that “anxiety exists when the problems around you overwhelm the peace within you, and that peace exists when the praise inside you overwhelms the problems around you.”

It’s time we all overwhelmed our problems with praise.  Instead of looking down at our to-do list of problems, we should be “lifting our eyes to where our help comes from.” - Psalm 121

Our goal of trying to be self-reliant, doing it all, being it all to everyone, only brings anxiety and stress.  We are not gentle.  We are not thankful.  

However, when we rely on Him and give Him thanks, even in times of hardship, PEACE and GENTLENESS will enter our hearts… “peace that passes all understanding.” Our family is more likely to learn in times of gentleness than in times of us screaming at them to listen.

With this season of giving and celebrations, comes times of high stress and anxiety for many of us.  When faced with these moments I urge you to stay C.A.L.M. (Max Lucado Study)

C: Celebrate God’s Goodness (offer THANKS for all of the good in your life)

A: Ask God for help (rely on him, not on yourself.  He is always near- Philippians 4:5)

L: Leave Your Concerns with God (He will work them out FOR you)

M: Meditate on GOOD things!

This is a HUGE challenge for me!  I am so very THANKFUL that God has blessed me with this wonderful, crazy family of mine.  It’s the best gift I’ve ever received.  I constantly take it for granted.  I am going into this season with the awareness of my stress and anxiety levels.  My goal is to stop, pray, and to be gentle with those that I love the most.  

I am thankful for all of you!  Enjoy this Thanksgiving with those you love and the food that will surround you!  We can worry about the pounds we gain on Jan.1!  

• Tracie