This year’s Thanksgiving is different than years past. Different in meaning, different in feeling, different in intent.

The most emotional difference is the distance from my family.  Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family, gathered around a table talking and playing games. It’s a time to reconnect and share how the Lord has blessed us this year.

This year I am further from my family. But it’s not too bad since we’ll be traveling to see them all.

The main differences with Thanksgiving this year are my desire to truly be thankful.

Thankful for my new son. Thankful for my deeper relationship with the Lord. Thankful for the blessing of spending 24hrs/day, 7days/week with my husband and children!! Thankful for our abundance. Thankful for a church that preaches from the Bible and is on the same page as us theologically.  Thankful for the health of my family.

And as of today, thankful that my earthly father’s life was spared when he suffered a heart attack.  James 14:4 says “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

I’ve developed a love for learning all there is of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving.  To think for a minute I’ve suffered is beyond ridiculous.  Half of the Pilgrims that boarded the Mayflower died during that first winter in America.  Food was scarce and they certainly were well aware that their safety was nearly non-existent.

It’s easy to see the vast improvement in living conditions when comparing present day to the 16o0′s.  But what about comparing present day America to present day Tanzania?  Our family is so blessed by the life of Salina, our Compassion child.  I adore Compassion and their committment to their children.  For Salina’s birthday we sent her $10.  Can you believe for $10 she bought a gorgeous dress and 30lbs of maize?

Ten bucks is nothing to me.  Heck, we wasted $10 today buying the kids lunch they didn’t eat.  But, to Salina’s family that small gift was enormous.  I am thankful for Salina.  Thank you, Compassion International.

Teaching our kids about being thankful is no easy task.  Even though they don’t get whatever they want they still have way too much. They’ve never known what it’s like to go hungry, cold or unloved.  I sat with the kids on Monday and created a Thankful Tree with them.

It wasn’t as easy as I thought it’d be.  I had to encourage the thoughts of thankfulness.  Most of the answers from Paisley were items she could see (chairs, couches, cabinets, cups).  Haley on the other hand focused on God and our Savior.  Haven got it when I asked him questions.

I can’t wait to take our Thankful Tree to Thanksgiving.  The kids are excited to show of their work.  I pray you will make a Thankful Tree or wreath or something with your children.

What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving?