Thanksgiving can easily get lost in the flurry of family, food and football. Here are some ideas for infusing thanks into your Thanksgiving festivities.
Just before you eat, write five things you are thankful to God for on special place cards.
Place five kernels of corn on each plate as a reminder of the daily rations during the first difficult winters in America.
Pass a basket around the table, and have each person place one kernel at a time into the basket and share one thing he or she is thankful for. Send the basket around the table five times.
Barbara Rainey, the co-founder of FamilyLife, says, “I'm saving all of these place cards as reminders of how God has worked in our lives. Here, for example, are some of the things our children wrote one Thanksgiving:
“Dennis and I were thrilled to hear the kids actually thank God for each other! After so many years of arguing and fighting with each other, they were finally beginning to show each other the affection we hope will continue through their lives.”
When FamilyLife staff member Jennifer Loftin lived in Japan, she celebrated two Thanksgivings with a local couple who opened their home to Americans to celebrate the holiday.
The couple would prepare these place mats so everyone could read what others had been thankful for in years past.
FamilyLife staff members Ricky and Ginger Roberts do this all year long and appreciate how it helps make sure even little things are remembered.
Bob Lepine, the co-host of “FamilyLife Today,” and his family follow this tradition of making hardtack https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/holidays/other/hard-tack.html and then eating it during their Thanksgiving meal.
As they eat the bread, Bob reminds his family of the hardships people endured to come to America. He also asks, “Who else can you think of that needed bread to sustain them on a long trip?” The answer: the Israelites, who ate the daily manna that God provided after He brought them out of Egypt.
This context provides the family with an opportunity to remember how God also sustains them and provides for all their needs.
© 2018 FamilyLife. All rights reserved. Adapted with permission from FamilyLife, a ministry of Cru. FamilyLife.com https://www.familylife.com/
Toust droit reservé
.png)