For Thanksgiving, November 24th, 2022

                                      ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH, 2022

The moments of our lives may be bright with possibility, dark with fear or sadness, or even plain everyday gray, but God's glory never fades.  May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks,  and boring grays of your every day.

Slightly adapted from one of my morning devotionals

'

28 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

 Sunrise:  7:27 am

 Sunset:   5:04  

pm

Life is a special   

occasion!

Hallmark!

 

Today is Thanksgiving which is a celebration full of family gatherings, holiday meals and giving thanks. It is a time or roasted turkeys, cranberry confections, cornbread stuffing, piping hot pumpkin pies, football games, and holiday parades.

The three day festival that is now hailed as the first Thanksgiving took place in the village Plymoth in 1621.  Governor William Brandford organized a feast to celebrate the Pilgrim’s first successful corn harvest.  Those in attendance included the Wampanoag chief Massosoit.  Historians know that the Mayflower’s sugar supply had run low, so the meal did not feature any pies, but one record indicates that four men were sent on a fowling mission, which very well may have resulted in a turkey!

Presidents Washington, Adams and Monroe proclaimed national Thanksgivings, but the customs fell out of favor .  Then in the 1820’s, Sara Josepha Hale began a campaign to reinstate the national celebration, and in 1863 President Lincoln proclaimed a Thursday in November as the National Day of Thanksgiving. The holiday has been celebrated ever since.

Happy Thanksgiving !

If you cannot see the bright side, polish the dull side

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. 

William Arthur Ward 

 I’ll definitely be celebrating this day with my family, or at least those of us that live close enough to do so, but not until Saturday.  I’ll be going to my daughters house then and prepare to eat until  I burst.  There will be lots of good food as everyone brings something to share.  

Today my family will be celebrating with the other sides of their family.  Years ago we used to have our Thanksgiving on the same day, but it was a struggle for everyone to make it to both dinners so we decided to do ours on a day before or after the actual Thanksgiving day.This way everyone can come and relax spending the day together. 

Today I’m thankful for all the wonderful Surprises in my life.  Each and every day is a surprise to me. We never know what may happen.  My children often surprise me with their generosity and   becoming a grandmother was a surprise I hadn’t expected.  It’s almost better than being a mother.  Notice I said almost.  I did love being a mom and raising my family and I miss them so much since they all grew up and moved away.   

I used to say I’d love just 5 minutes of quiet, but now I have so much quiet in my life that I wish for the noise of my happy family together.   My family weren’t a surprise to me, I wanted every one of them and am blessed to have as many as I do.  I wanted more but that was not to be.  

I hope you all have  a GREAT day!  Happy Thursday!

Happy Thanksgiving !

COUNTING MY GIFTS 

This is one day that is ours.  Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.

O. Henry

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

 

10,821.   for a day to give Thanks 

10,822. for my family, they were no surprise to me

10,823. for a relaxing day here and I’ll be enjoying  my frozen turkey dinner by the TV.

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

  

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters and EMT’s.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

n

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.

Oprah Winfrey

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma