Holidays. People love them…people hate them. For my family, we fall in the “love ‘em” category. Thanksgiving always means getting together, sharing laughter and great food and playing all kinds of games. We bake and decorate and spend time watching football. Even the challenging Thanksgivings become a source of fun. Like the first time I fixed a turkey for Don and me. I made a huge bowl of stuffing, but the only place I saw to put it was this small indentation at the back of the turkey. I shoved and smashed that bowl of stuffing into that indentation, only to discover when I went to pick up the painfully stuffed bird that there was a huge cavity at the front! Holy cow! Turkeys have two holes!! I immediately called my mother, sharing my discovery. We still laugh about it.
For some, though, Thanksgiving and other holidays hold more stress than fun. Struggles and conflicts seem to steal any joy. For those folks, and for those who love the holidays, I wanted to share a couple of Thanksgiving songs. Today, as you prepare yourself for Thanksgiving, whatever it means to you, take just a minute to stop, rest, listen to the songs below, and think about what you have in your life that makes you thankful.
For me, it’s my faith, my wonderful family and friends, my challenging and rewarding work, my darlin’ four-legged “kids,” the beauty of nature all around me, and so much more. But most of all, I’m thankful for the One who not only gave me these things, but who gave His all that I might be restored.
Thank you, Lord.
Love the song in the first video, and the message in the second. Whether your Thanksgiving is perfect or…not so much, know that there is One who loves you without reservation. And that’s something we can all be thankful for.
Leslie Payne
Oh Karen, what a perfect start to the next few crazy days. I laughed, prayed, wiped away a tear, and laughed some more. Thank you!
Joe Plemon
Thank you, Karen, for sharing these two videos. They are exactly what I needed to keep this season in perspective. I am already more thankful!
Karen Ball
Joe, I hear you. That’s how I felt after watching them as well. I love the heart and creativity of the people who put these videos together.
Amber Schamel
Thanks for sharing these Thanksgiving songs, Karen! I’m getting a list together of “Thanksgiving Carols” that we can sing tomorrow evening after dinner.
The second one is really cute.
I have so much to be thankful for, it is impossible to limit my thanksgiving to only one day a year. 🙂
Amber Schamel
Karen Ball
Amber, wouldn’t it be great if we all held that spirit of gratitude throughout the year? It’s so easy to forget all the blessings when things get tough. But when I stop and consider God’s faithfulness and goodness, it helps put my focus where it needs to be. On HIM, not the circumstances.
Sandy Faye Mauck
Thanks Karen – Happy Thanksgiving! Here is one back at you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB7M4RNi024
When I was a little girl I learned to sing this in the public school. Wow listen to the lyrics!!
Karen Ball
Sandy, I LOVE that hymn. I’m the worship leader at our church, and that was one of the songs we sang last week. Worship songs are great, but man! The lyrics in
Karen Ball
Leslie, I’m so glad they touched you!
patti iverson
1st song thrilled me to sing along with—2nd song brought tears to my eyes –both songs caused me to pray for all the families and singles around tables tomorrow. And for those who have nowhere to be, sigh… God watch over and be with us all!