Thanksgiving

Sure, buying Christmas décor, stringing out twinkle lights, and transforming your house into your own winter wonderland can be therapeutic. But unless you resolve the root causes of your anxiety, depression, or family conflicts, the dopamine from cheerful decorations will eventually evaporate, leaving you with the same, tired worries.

What if we spent time each day in giving thanks and prayer? How could God grow out faith and trust if we lived a life of thanks through all seasons and not just Thanksgiving time?

Gratitude isn't about hailing the action performed but celebrating the soul behind the deed that needs to know they're seen and treasured.

Once you have decided on boundaries to protect your mental health and that of others, now comes the time to clearly communicate them. This can be tough and may even feel daunting and intimidating, especially when there are underlying expectations from others or traditions that have been set and passed down for everyone to follow suit.

What do we do when we encounter narcissistic family members at holiday events?

We bring our insecurities, dysfunction, past hurts, and areas of deception into every encounter, as does everyone with whom we engage. This can lead to misunderstandings and increased hurt. In Matthew 7, Jesus provides steps we can take to guard against this.

Holidays offer us opportunities to catch up with our family. However, family members can also tend to ask questions that people, especially single people, absolutely dread being asked.

Spending prolonged periods with family or friends, sharing living quarters, and making concessions, coupled with the general stress of the season, can make gatherings a recipe for disaster. But it doesn't have to be. Life is too short, and our relationships too precious for us to spend another year trying to survive the season. Instead, perhaps, with a few adjustments, we can move from surviving to savoring this time.

Gathering with our loved ones is truly that, a gift. Let's all, if not for a few weeks, hours, or even moments, put aside our differences, opinions, and preferences. The Lord made us for community, for better or worse, and planned for us to experience life alongside other human beings.

Scripture provides a wealth of songs that praise the Lord and thank Him for His marvelous deeds of love. Such songs are scattered throughout the pages of the Bible, including the Psalms and beyond.

Spending Thanksgiving alone can be tough, but it’s also an opportunity to turn loneliness into gratitude. From serving meals at a soup kitchen to exploring nature, starting a new hobby, or connecting with loved ones virtually, there are plenty of ways to make the day meaningful. These ideas can help create a Thanksgiving filled with joy and purpose, even when celebrating solo.

And that night, in the silence, my widowed dad wandered home to his empty house. Alone. And I received a text that said, "I've never felt so full in all my life. Thank you, my little turkey." Reach out a hand this Thanksgiving. You may be surprised who reaches back.

Show your spouse just how much you love them, just how much you appreciate them and just how thankful you are for them. Shower them with love and gratefulness and wait for the glow that comes from them, creating a stronger bond and a tighter connection to your one and only.

If you are alone this Thanksgiving, pray these prayers to help you feel a sense of comfort, peace, and hope in the midst of a lonely time. When you draw near to God, He will give you a sense of belonging and contentment that endures even when you are alone.