Hours before dawn, my eyes opened and I remembered it was Thanksgiving during a pandemic. Even though my body yearned for more sleep, my mind stubbornly refused. After tossing and turning for an hour, I threw back the covers and ventured into the blackness.
Covid also brought blackness to our world with deaths, illnesses, shutdowns, riots, job losses… Each dreadful situation brought consequences. The pandemic affected the entire world.
Despite the horrible circumstances, we can choose to be thankful. Perhaps for small things or miraculous ones.
My mind replayed previous Thanksgivings. Many were joyous celebrations with family members. During my childhood in Indiana, I joined parents, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents for feasts. Large gatherings occurred every year.
After my parents got jobs in Florida, the celebrations became smaller. We thought my grandparents, who were a couple hours away, would join our festivities each year. However, on our first Thanksgiving in Florida, Grandma was in the hospital and passed away the following day. Grandpa became part of our meals for many years.
As my immediate family grew with marriages, babies, and adoption. more people crowded around the table. There was excitement in being together and enjoying delicious food.
Changes came as families spent time with spouse’s families. Then Mother could no longer host the meals so we shifted locations to my brothers’ homes and mine. We didn’t mind but it signaled more changes.
Empty chairs appeared. First Grandpa, Dad, Alan and then Mother. Each time, sadness mingled with celebration. But thankfulness continued for what we still had.
Every year family members gathered around the table but not always the same ones. There was an abundance of delicious food in a safe home. Reliable cars got us there and everyone wore more than adequate clothes. We all could speak and hear the conversations. Of course, there were trials in many lives but thankfulness usually overtook the troubles that day.
Along with a year of attacks, Covid also assaulted Thanksgiving. Many large celebrations were cancelled and travel eliminated for thousands of people. Around the US, smaller groups planned to assemble. Some not at all.
For the first time, I won’t be with family on this holiday. When loneliness attacked, I thought of blessings instead.
I had resources to buy food for my own Thanksgiving meal. Yesterday, I prepared a traditional meal for myself and I will enjoy leftovers for several more. Today, I will join a couple of single friends for an outside meal at a local restaurant in the beautiful, Florida weather.
No one I have spoken with is having a normal Thanksgiving this year but all are adapting to the situation.
Thanksgiving Day is a marvelous time to thank God for what He has given us. However, it should not be one day of 365 but a daily occurrence.
As I think of God’s blessings, the list is endless. Although I won’t be with my family, I can connect with them through my phone and on my computer. I have children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and cousins. I live in a lovely home on a peaceful lake retreat. Electricity keeps me warm and cool. My refrigerator keeps my food cool and my microwave warms it up. I can go to church when I want to and read my Bible freely. I live in a country of many freedoms. On this day and every day, I can choose to be thankful.
Perhaps you are in a horrible situation now, but you can still be thankful in tiny ways. Maybe you have had wonderful things happen to you this year. I challenge you to find at least five things you can be thankful for and hopefully, even more.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV)
Loving Father, as the world goes through a year of constant trials, thank you for being with us. Nudge us to be thankful no matter our circumstances. Amen
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