In most of the places we have spent our fall in the last 5 years, there is usually more American influence than Canadian, which means celebrating American thanksgiving. So this week we will celebrate with all our friends here. (we found out that our friend Becky even imported pumpkin pie filling for the pies… we’re excited!)
This Sunday at church, we heard a really great line that defines thanksgiving for us. Most of the time, what happens on thanksgiving is a day of being thankful. So we do some special activities that remind us of how much God has blessed us. Which is good. But thanksgiving is so much more, it is an opportunity to remind ourselves that we are supposed to be thankful people. We’re not just thankful today, we’re thankful in all circumstances.
Paul, our pastor, reminded us of some of the times when we’re not ordinarily thankful. Like when the walk needs shovelling or something around the house needs fixing. Or when the clothes fit a little too snug or we can’t sleep in (because the kids are up bright and early!). Those are great opportunities to remember that we have a home to shelter us, plenty of food to eat, and kids full of joy and excitement for life!
Thankfulness is usually a matter of perspective and not usually circumstance – of course, that’s difficult to remember when we’re in the middle of it. But I hope that I become more thankful as the days turn into seasons and the seasons into years – becoming a person characterized by thankfulness, day in and day out!
