Elaborate celebrations seem to be increasingly popular these days, and I admire those who cook all day for family members and friends to have a traditional meal. There is comfort in that tradition, and who doesn’t love a good Thanksgiving meal?
    We’ve done this often in the past, but with Mel’s job taking up many of his holidays, we’ve also had quiet days. Once, when we were scheduled to host a large family gathering, we had a blizzard and had to call the whole thing off. We spent the day home alone and found that we enjoyed the peace of that day. There have been times in past years when I was so busy preparing food and managing company that I spared no time for prayer and actual thanks for what God has given us.
    Many decades ago I decided to prepare Peking duck for the Thanksgiving meal instead of turkey or ham. I enjoyed it, though I’m not sure everyone else did. This year we plan to take a hike in the desert. The weather is perfect, and I find that I’m most thankful to God when surrounded by God’s creation.
    The key, I think, is to be thankful. It isn’t a sin to skip the meal completely, or to even have pizza or chicken wings or chicken and dumplings or sandwiches. The whole idea of the day is to be thankful. If you want to fast the whole day and focus on God’s goodness, or if you want hamburgers and fries, the point is to be thankful. I am in awe of the God Who created our world, Who created us to be in fellowship with Him. Let’s enjoy that fellowship on Thanksgiving day…and every day.