Gratitude is a disposition of the heart. It goes further than ourselves and rests in the belief that God is good and gives good to His servants, even if what we're experiencing right here and now isn't good.
With a little less than three weeks until Thanksgiving, my husband and I peered over our calendars. Week after week was filled to the brim with outings, small groups, church events, dance practices, family outings, and dates. I wondered how in the world it was time for another holiday already. It seemed like just yesterday we were saying "I do" and celebrating the Fourth of July.
As newlyweds, our marriage counselor recommended that Ben and I brainstorm family traditions we wished to keep, remove, and add. At the top of our list was cutting down a Christmas tree, decorating the house, and spending time with family. We also knew we wanted to start our own traditions.
If you're new to this thing called "marriage" like us, or just searching for fresh ideas to implement with your family this holiday season, look no further.
Here are three creative traditions to try this Thanksgiving!
1. Start Your Morning with Gratitude
When Ben and I first started brainstorming traditions we wanted to implement as a family unit (yes, two people married is still a family unit), we knew we wanted to emphasize gratitude. Gratitude is more than being thankful for a period of time. It's a way of life. A lifestyle. A habit that encourages us to look beyond ourselves.
Gratitude isn't ignorance of difficult circumstances. Gratitude also isn't acting happy-go-lucky when things are really crummy. Gratitude is a disposition of the heart. It goes further than ourselves and rests in the belief that God is good and gives good to His servants, even if what we're experiencing right here and now isn't good.
This Thanksgiving, my husband and I plan to tell each other why we're thankful for each other. And not in a quick five-second spiel where we rush out the words and don't really mean them. We want to sit down for breakfast or lunch, gaze into one another's eyes, and truly express deep and sincere gratitude.
Proverbs 17:22 (NIV) writes, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." I believe this is why 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to give thanks in all circumstances. Note: It doesn't say we thank God for every circumstance, but in. There's a difference. "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (NIV).
Even beyond Thanksgiving, I would encourage you to be thankful and grateful for all the Lord has blessed us with. We are blessed going in and out. No matter where we go or what we do, just to have breath in our lungs and serve our Lord is a blessing. And that surely surpasses a single holiday season.
2. Sign Up for a 5K
The second tradition Ben and I brainstormed to participate in this season may have some of you sending me the stink-eye. Running isn't everyone's cup of tea. As a former distance runner, I get that. I had and still have a love-hate relationship with the sport. But what better time to challenge yourself and your family than a holiday you can share together?
Even if you don't enjoy running or walking in the cold, getting some exercise before the crazy day festivities begin is the perfect way to move your body, get some fresh air, and socialize with others. If you're someone who likes to train, it also gives you a goal to work towards throughout the upcoming months.
Before Ben and I were married, we really wanted to participate in a 5-K Turkey Trot. And by we, I mean me. Nevertheless, we had hundreds to choose from in the surrounding counties. But we had one problem: Ben was on call. This meant that if he got paged during the race, we'd have to book our butts back to his work. Ben didn't fancy running and then potentially having to run to his work in the middle of a race.
Even if you're busy this Thanksgiving, think you can't fit it in, or don't want to pay for running (I know, some of you are rolling your eyes here), consider creating your own. Ben and I had trained leading up to last Thanksgiving, so when the day got here, we were ready. We set our watches, raced down my road, and created our own race at a time that worked best for us. Sure, it wasn't as exhilarating as socializing with a live race, but it was fun. We not only broke our own records but set goals and had fun doing something together.
3. Take Time To Relax
My perfect Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without something Ben encourages me to do on a daily basis: make time to relax. If you know me, you know that I struggle to rest, sit still, and embrace silence. It isn't something that comes easily to me, and if I'm honest, I avoid it like the plague. As someone who struggles with an addiction to productivity, rest and relaxation are usually last on my list. But this Thanksgiving, I've been encouraged to rest and rest differently.
In Colossians 3:15, Paul reminds us that sometimes the most holy thing we can do is rest in a presence of gratitude and peace that comes only from the Lord. A professor in college once told my husband similar words: "Sometimes the most holy thing we can do is rest."
With all the hustle and bustle this Thanksgiving, remember to relax with those you love. Our days are numbered. Tomorrow isn't promised. But today? We will rejoice, rest, and relax in the time we have. Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful" (Colossians 3:15, NLT).
If you are looking for more creative traditions to try this Thanksgiving, fear not! I've included a few extra ideas below:
1. Bake a new treat as a family.
2. Spend the day decorating.
3. Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
4. Get a Christmas tree.
5. Play board games.
6. Snuggle.
7. Drink hot cider and eat Thanksgiving treats.
8. Write a creative piece of writing to memorialize the day.
9. Volunteer at a food pantry.
10. Make homeless kits and distribute them to those in need.
How are you planning to celebrate Thanksgiving this coming year? Any new traditions you'd like to try?
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/ Drazen Zigic
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