“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100:4-5)

While participating in our nursing home outreach “Hearts of Love” our small group set out to bestow God’s love upon the residents residing within the facility. Our hearts’ desire was to bring comfort, encouragement, and joy. They truly embraced and appreciated our company while fellowshiping with them.

At lunchtime, several gathered around a table in the middle of the corridor in lieu of the cafeteria where the majority of the residents ate. Patiently, they waited for the rest of their group to arrive via wheelchairs. Once all food trays were in front of them, they asked, one another who would like to give thanks.

They graciously chose one particular woman, the so-called “spiritual mother” of them all. Our outreach group laid hands upon their shoulders while she gave thanks to God for His provision of their food, shelter and our communion with them. Shortly after we said our farewells, so they could have their lunch.

As I stepped out of the facility, I paused and thanked God for allowing me the opportunity to observe His children acknowledging and giving thanks to Him even at their ripened age. Not only did their act of reverence penetrate my heart but also they were setting an example to many others.

Their open devotion to our Heavenly Father, was a witness to the staff that cared for them daily. They did not hide in their rooms to give thanks to God, nor did they settle in a corner of the lunchroom. They gave Him thanks right in the middle of a corridor with many passing by.

As believers and followers of Christ, thanksgiving should be a vital part of our daily life. No matter where we are, no matter how busy life might be, no matter whom is around, we should be giving thanks and praise to God daily. It is wise for us to grasp this precious life lesson demonstrated by this group of elders who stopped midday to give thanks to God. Truly, what a testimony they are in trusting, hoping, and thanking Him until the very end.

Heavenly Father, You are so gracious and wonderful. Thank you for this day. Thank you for being our redeemer, provider, shield, and comforter. As written in your word, “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night” (Psalm 92:1-2). Amen

Question: On this Thanksgiving day, what are you thankful for? How do you express daily thanksgiving to God?

Did you realize that the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the time spouses and family members are most ignored?

Are you mutually devoted? Then declare it! There is nothing quite as wonderful as being in a mutual admiration society with your spouse! Just knowing that you chose the other above all others will help you weather the holidays.

Think about how good it feels when your spouse lets you know he or she wants to be with you. Maybe through a twinkle in the eye, a gentle caress or a loving compliment, your mate let’s you know he or she is mutually devoted to you.

It feels so good to be affirmed, but don’t assume your mate knows you love him or her, declare it. Here are some ways to demonstrate your devotion to your partner:

• Present your mate with a long stem rose.
• Take a picture of the two of you. (You could frame it for a Christmas present to your spouse.)
• Write a love note on the steamed bathroom mirror.
• Send your mate an email or text declaring your devotion.
• Invite your mate out on a date that you totally plan. Keep the location a surprise.

Take our tips and don’t just assume your mate knows you admire him or her. Form your own mutual admiration society today! It’ll help you stay “mutually devoted” and will add to your holiday joy.

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It’s that time again. Time to start basting the turkey and getting ready for one of the biggest meals of the year.

Included in this feast:

• Roast Turkey
• Mashed Potatoes with Prosciutto and Parmesan
• Stuffing with Mushrooms and Bacon
• Piquant Cranberry Sauce
• Baked Yams with Nutmeg Butter
• Corn and Winter Squash with Spinach and Bacon
• Green Beans with Red Bell Peppers

Roast Turkey

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter — room temperature
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
22 pound turkey (thawed)
4 large plum tomatoes — chopped
1/2 cup low-salt chicken broth

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Blend first 5 ingredients in a small bowl. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Place turkey on rack in large roasting pan. Starting at neck end, slide hand between skin and breast meat to loosen skin. Spread seasoned butter over breast meat under skin. Sprinkle turkey inside and out with salt and pepper. If stuffing turkey, spoon stuffing loosely into main cavity. Tuck wing tips; tie legs together.

Roast turkey 1 hour. Add tomatoes to pan. Roast 1-1/2 hours longer, stirring tomatoes occasionally. Pour broth into pan. Cover turkey loosely with foil. Roast until thermometer inserted into thigh registers 180 degrees F., basting occasionally with pan juices, about 1 hour 50 minutes longer if unstuffed or 2 hours 20 minutes longer if stuffed. Transfer turkey to platter. Tent with foil; reserve pan juices.

Meanwhile, prepare gravy.

Gravy

Ingredients:

5 cups low-salt chicken broth
3/4 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups dry white wine
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

Directions:

Bring 5 cups chicken broth and porcini mushrooms to boil in medium saucepan. Remove from heat; let steep 15 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to work surface; reserve mushroom broth. Chop mushrooms coarsely. Mix 2 tablespoons butter and flour in small bowl to smooth paste.

Strain juices from roasting pan into large measuring cup; spoon off fat. Add enough reserved mushroom broth to pan juices to measure 6 cups. Add wine to roasting pan and bring to simmer, scraping up browned bits; add to broth.

Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add parsley, thyme, rosemary, and mushrooms. Sauté until mushrooms are tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in broth mixture and simmer until slightly reduced, about 30 minutes. Gradually whisk in butter-flour paste. Boil until reduced to 4 cups, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutritional information:

Per Serving: 1171 Calories; 62g Fat (48.9% calories from fat); 140g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 468mg Cholesterol; 528mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 19 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat.

Mashed Potatoes with Prosciutto and Parmesan

Ingredients:

3-1/4 pounds russet potatoes — peeled, cut into 1″ pieces
4 cloves garlic — peeled
1/2 cup butter
3-1/2 ounces prosciutto — thinly sliced, finely chopped
3/4 teaspoon fresh rosemary — minced
3/4 cup whole milk — (or more)
1 cup Parmesan cheese — freshly grated

Directions:

Cook potatoes and garlic in large pot of boiling salted water until potatoes are very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain; return potatoes and garlic to same pot.

Meanwhile, melt 1/2 cup butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped prosciutto and 3/4 teaspoon minced rosemary and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add prosciutto mixture and 3/4 cup milk to potatoes and garlic. Mash well, adding more milk by tablespoonfuls if potatoes are dry. Mix in 3/4 cup cheese. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Stir over low heat to re-warm, adding more milk by tablespoonfuls, if desired.)

Transfer potatoes to bowl. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutritional information:

Per Serving: 333 Calories; 16g Fat (43.8% calories from fat); 12g Protein; 35g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 51mg Cholesterol; 660mg Sodium. Exchanges: 2 Grain(Starch); 1 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 2 1/2 Fat.

Stuffing with Mushrooms and Bacon

Ingredients:

1-1/4 pounds sourdough bread — crusts removed, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3/4 pound bacon — cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 cups chopped leeks — white and pale green parts only
3 cups chopped celery
1 pound mushrooms — sliced
1-1/2 tablespoons dried sage
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2-1/2 cups low-salt chicken broth — or more if needed
2 large eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread bread cubes on 2 baking sheets. Bake until bread cubes are dry and crisp, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Transfer bread to large bowl.

Sauté bacon in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels and drain. Pour off all but 1/4 cup drippings from skillet. Add chopped leeks and celery to skillet and sauté until tender and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add mushrooms, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Pour mushroom mixture over bread cubes. Add bacon and toss to blend. Mix in 2 cups broth. (Stuffing can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 13- x 9- x 2-inch glass baking dish. Beat eggs and baking powder in small bowl to blend. Mix eggs into stuffing; moisten stuffing with more broth if stuffing is dry. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Bake stuffing until cooked through and golden brown on top, about 1 hour. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutritional information:

Per Serving: 340 Calories; 17g Fat (43.7% calories from fat); 17g Protein; 32g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 55mg Cholesterol; 1029mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 2 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

Piquant Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

1 cup water
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
12 ounces cranberries
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Pinch of salt

Directions:

Combine 1 cup water and brown sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add cranberries. Simmer until berries burst, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in thyme, mustard, and salt. Cool completely. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Yield: about 8 servings.

Nutritional information:

Per Serving: 125 Calories; trace Fat (0.8% calories from fat); trace Protein; 32g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 20mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 Fruit; 0 Fat; 2 Other Carbohydrates.

Baked Yams with Nutmeg Butter

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter — at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar — firmly packed
1-1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
Vegetable oil spray
12 yams — (about 8 lbs total)

Directions:

Using an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, and nutmeg in medium bowl until light and fluffy.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with heavy-duty foil. Spray foil with cooking spray. Using small sharp knife, make one 1/2-inch-deep lengthwise slit in each yam, leaving 1 inch uncut at each short end. Place yams on baking sheet. Bake yams until tender, about 1-1/2
hours.

Cut slits across center of each yam. Press ends toward center to expose flesh. Transfer yams to platter. Spoon 1 tablespoon nutmeg butter into each. Serve, passing remaining butter separately. Yield: 12 servings

Nutritional information:

Per Serving: 359 Calories; 16g Fat (38.6% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 54g Carbohydrate; 6g Dietary Fiber; 41mg Cholesterol; 20mg Sodium. Exchanges: 3 Grain(Starch); 3 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.

Corn and Winter Squash with Spinach and Bacon

Ingredients:

9 slices bacon — chopped
2 cups chopped onion
2-1/2 pounds butternut squash — peeled, seeded, cut into 1/3-inch pieces
18 ounces baby spinach leaves
16 ounces frozen corn kernels — thawed
6 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions:

Sauté bacon in large pot over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Add onions and squash. Sauté until squash is almost tender, about 12 minutes. Add spinach and corn. Toss until spinach wilts and corn is heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in basil. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutritional information:

Per Serving: 74 Calories; 2g Fat (28.0% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 12g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 4mg Cholesterol; 80mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat.

Green Beans with Red Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

2-1/4 pounds green beans — ends trimmed
5 tablespoons butter
3 large red bell peppers — thinly sliced
1 large onion — thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh marjoram
3/4 cup sliced almonds — toasted

Directions:

Cook green beans in large pot of boiling salted water until just crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain. Rinse with cold water. Drain well; set aside.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add peppers and onion and sauté until peppers are crisp-tender, about 8 minutes. Mix in marjoram. (Beans and bell pepper mixture can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.)

Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add beans and pepper mixture and stir until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle with almonds. Yield 10 servings.

Nutritional information:

Per Serving: 156 Calories; 12g Fat (62.0% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 12g Carbohydrate; 5g Dietary Fiber; 16mg Cholesterol; 66mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 2 Vegetable; 2 Fat.

All recipes were originally released in Recipe Du Jour’s daily newsletter. 

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During November, our family often made an acrostic using the word thanksgiving. We’d list things we were thankful for, using words beginning with each letter. When our children became teenagers, words like telephone, summer, and ice cream topped the list. Now with grown children, I exchange a thanksgiving list with my pen pal each year.

But thanksgiving shouldn’t be limited to a season or holiday. God’s Word says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). Since a thankful heart should be the year-round norm, I’ve used the word thanksliving in this acrostic to share some things I’m thankful for.

T = Talents
I’m thankful for my God-given talents. If I develop them and use them for God’s glory, one day I’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).

H = Hope
I’m thankful for the hope I have in Christ and the Holy Spirit who spreads hope in my heart. Since I know the God of hope, I can point others to Him, no matter how bleak their circumstances. I often pray Romans 15:13 for others:  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NIV).

A = Acceptance
Acceptance is a basic human need. As a writer, I’m thankful when editors accept my writing. However, I’m especially grateful that God always accepts me; my worth before Him is not based on my performance or success.

N = News
Although world events may be discouraging, I’m thankful we can always find good news in God’s Word.

K = Kindness
I’m thankful for the many family and friends who express kindness to me in tangible ways. In turn, I want to express caring toward others.

S = Senses
My five senses help me experience life more fully. Beyond my physical senses, I’m thankful to spiritually “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).

L = Life
Life is precious and should never be taken for granted. I’m thankful for each new day.

I = Intelligence
I’m thankful for my intellect which helps me think clearly and make wise decisions.

V = Vision
I appreciate physical vision to enjoy my surroundings and spiritual vision to understand spiritual truths.

I = Imagination
Imagination helps me think creatively. As I pray and seek God, He enables me to imagine no limits and to expect him to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians. 3:20 NIV).

N = New Experiences
I’m thankful for new opportunities to grow and for new relationships that enrich my life.

G = God
God is the greatest treasure and reason to give thanks. I’m most grateful to have a relationship with  Him through Jesus Christ.

Listing what I’m thankful for always lifts my spirit. Besides that, the Bible says God is pleased with a thankful heart:  “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me” (Psalm 50:23 NASB).

Why not make your own thanksliving list? After we thank God for our blessings, we can serve Him from the overflow of our grateful hearts.

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If this sounds familiar, you, like many people, may be caught in a holi-daze. Cooking, shopping, entertaining, cleaning, organizing take precedence over all else, including personal and spiritual rituals that are a necessary part of our overall well-being.

I remember one year when I hardly looked up from October 1 to December 31. October was a month of birthdays, anniversaries, and a wedding. In November we had a family reunion at our home for Thanksgiving followed by a weekend of sight-seeing for those in from out of town. The next week began my husband’s busiest retail season of the year – prior to Christmas. Then there was choir practice, holiday parties, the children’s play, the family advent workshop, holiday gift swaps, and Christmas cookie exchanges.

I was spent by the time we took down our Christmas tree and ushered in the New Year with a cup of hot cider. I wished I were a bear so I could hibernate for the rest of the winter! vowed that year that I would never again allow myself to become so frazzled. I wanted to enjoy the holidays, not merely endure them, to rejoice in them, not simply react to them. And to take time to rest – even in the midst of the excitement and celebration.

This new commitment led me back to Scripture. I wanted to know what God says about rest–both His promises and His mandates. Here’s what I found. I hope you will feel encouraged to build on them.

Rest from burdens

“Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

Imagine – the Lord himself invites us to put down our load when we are tired and overwhelmed. What better time to respond to this invitation than during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season? Merchants don’t want you to rest. They want you to buy their goods and services. Bankers don’t want you to rest. They want to loan you money so they can charge you interest. Friends don’t offer to give you rest. They want you to come to their party or dinner or serve on a committee at church or at work. And your children and spouse? Well, they may sympathize that this season is demanding, but do they want you to rest? Not really. If you do, who’ll prepare the meals and shop for gifts, organize the family get-together, and pay for it all when the bills arrive?

Only the Lord wants you to rest. Only He wants you to come away with Him when you are weary and heavy-laden. When you hear His call, put down whatever you’re doing. It’ll be there when you return. Follow His lead. “Take five” with God today. Find a quiet space. Retreat from your burdens. Relax and refresh yourself.

Rest from work

“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the ploughing season and harvest you must rest” (Exodus 34:21 NIV).

Even as the Israelites were commanded to rest during harvest, we too must rest during the busyness of holiday celebrations. Set aside some vacation days for this season of the year. Too many of us try to work normal hours and shop and cook and decorate and entertain. Then we wonder why we come down with a cold or the flu or a bout of depression. We need to rest. We deserve to rest. We require rest.

God knows this and that’s why He commands us to rest on the seventh day – even in the midst of the busiest seasons of the year – whether at work or at home or in our communities. Our work will live on long after we’re gone. Other people will take up the plough and bring in the harvest – and decorate the tree, prepare the turkey, buy and wrap the gifts. It is up to each of us to look within, and to find ways to refill our well. For some of us that means turning off the computer, turning on the message machine, saying no to an invitation, saying yes to the desire to take a nap, simplifying the way we do our jobs -taking on less and giving away more.

There is a time to work and a time to rest. When the Lord calls us to rest even during the busy times, let us not be so consumed with our routine that we miss this opportunity.

Rest from people

“Then because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’” (Mark 6:31 NIV).

My husband walked through the front door, tossed his jacket and keys on the chair in the hallway and let out a big sigh. “I’ve had enough of people,” he said, obviously spent after a long day behind the customer service counter at the store where he works. “What’s happening to our world?” he asked as we walked into the dining room for dinner. “This is supposed to be a happy time of year. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s. But people are impatient, angry, in a hurry. I’ll be glad when it’s all over.”

Some relaxing music, a few moments of prayer together, and a good night’s sleep helped my husband come back to normal. Like Jesus, he felt the press of the crowd and he needed to retreat for a few hours.

We all know that feeling. There are times when we absolutely must be alone – away from the noise, the bustle, the anxiety that seems to run through the masses. Jesus experienced it often. And at such times he went off alone or with a small band of friends, to pray, to listen to His heavenly Father, to rest.

How much our lives would change for the better if we, like Jesus, did what our heavenly Father tells us to do. Rest from people.

Rest in the Lord

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 91:1).

What an awesome truth to contemplate. Those who trust in the Lord will experience His protection. The God of the universe is telling us, His children, that He will protect us, that there is rest for us in the shadow of the Almighty. If we seek Him first, build our lives in and through Him, and put Him above everything else – even above family, our job, church, our civic duty, celebrations, we will never have to worry or fear.

How could we turn down such an invitation? God is our dwelling place and our plane of refuge and rest. Retreat to Him often during this stressful season and allow him to refresh your spirit, renew your mind, and refuel your body. Then you can participate in the holidays fully alert and able to share the good news of Jesus Christ. “Take five” with God today.

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One of the greatest things we can be thankful for is God’s love for us. No matter what situation we may be in, the Lord has a special way of touching us with His hand of peace and grace that comforts us in all our troubles. He knew exactly what the Baumann family needed as they grieved the loss of their father and husband Bill Baumann, who tragically took his life last April.

Thanksgiving has always been our most sacred family holiday. Our main tradition is an unvarying brunch menu served on the same dishes every year. Each person has their own candle at their place setting and a carefully selected verse attached by ribbon to the candleholder. After a time of sharing what we’re thankful for, we read the verses and I explain why I chose it for them. It is usually a pretty special time, but I knew this year would be different. The most visible thing would be who was not there.

The days before Thanksgiving were filled with more than the usual stresses. Every area of my life seemed to demand my attention. By the time I finally had a moment to prepare for the brunch, it was 11pm Wednesday night and I had nothing to offer. But somehow, between then and Thursday morning, God gave me verses for each person, and I knew Bill must have his candle as well.

Daniel loves a celebration and was excited to find me cooking breakfast. He ran to get his tape recorder so we could cook and listen to story tapes together. He watched me set the table and he noticed the candle for Bill. A light went on in his mind and he disappeared for a while. He came back with a smile and a bowl full of scraps of paper, each with one of our initials. Each person could say or show two things they were thankful for when their initials were drawn.

Daniel was eager for his turn. First he showed us the pumpkin pie he was thankful for, his favorite. Then he disappeared again. My daughters and I were sure he was retrieving our much-loved cat. But he came back with a picture from his room, a photo of him and his dad building his swing set together. He placed it by Bill’s candle. Instant tears for all the girls.

A remarkable time of heart felt sharing followed. There were many scraps of paper in the bowl, and we had much to be thankful for. Finally we read the verses. I want to share two of them.

A most difficult part of my life is making decisions on my own, the kind I have no experience or confidence in making. As I prayed for direction one morning, God showed me Isaiah 30:20,21, the verse I had at my candle. “Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more, with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’” I heard His voice and shared with my kids how some of my burdens were lifted.

For Bill’s verse, I chose a familiar passage in Romans. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38). Though we are now separated from Bill, we are not separated from the love of God, and neither is he. And some day, our reunion in heaven will be all the sweeter in contrast to the pain we feel now.

We blew out the candles and our brunch was over. God met us on a special day. He used our family tradition, His word, and the spontaneity of a little boy.

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“It’s my party and I can cry if I want to.” This was my attitude when my husband, a Marine pilot, was deployed over the holidays.

The first few holidays David was deployed, I went back to Canada where my parents live so I wouldn’t have to be by myself. But that became costly and it was too much work dragging four kids on the airplane.

I remember the day I determined to finally spend Christmas at home without running away. I imagined waking up Christmas morning, with my four children tugging on my pajamas, excited to see what was under the tree. Then I felt anxious, knowing I would miss out on what I knew so many other couples were doing… drinking eggnog together, making pancakes, dancing to Christmas music.

And what about David? I knew he was having just as difficult a time. It was just different. What was he eating in Iraq during Thanksgiving? At least I was invited to a friend’s house, no matter how awkward it felt sitting at a formal dining room table with her and her husband. David was probably eating hot dogs and chips, perhaps the candy I sent him. And then he would take a baby wipe and wash his hands afterwards, seeing as there was lack of sinks and water. Of course, he would be imagining what I was doing with our kids, wanting to be home to fry a turkey and make a bon-fire, and just hang out.

As Christmas approached, he was probably looking in his mailbox wondering when a gift would come for him. What about a card? Was anybody back home thinking about him?

A new celebration

After languishing through the holidays during David’s first few deployments, it hit me: Why load the holidays with such expectations? Why not see every day as a holiday, a day of celebration?

I began to sit down with my children and make banners and gifts for their father on a daily basis. I would buy the kids gifts on non-calendar holiday days just to show them I celebrated them all the time. Sometimes, it was the simple things they longed to do… reading a book, or playing Frisbee, making crafts, even sitting down on the couch and watching a movie.

We found creative ways to celebrate, even without Daddy around. Every day became Christmas, in a way. Every day became a day of Thanks, and every day became a day of Love in our home. David would even find ways to celebrate with us by sending handmade cards to each of the kids on a regular basis. One year, I received around seven different Valentine cards in a week. I laughed. He knew.

“Choose life!”

In many ways…we can choose life…living to the fullest, seeing every day as a day of opportunity to celebrate. I have realized it is in all our perspective and how we choose to look at things. I choose life… every day! What about you?

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His deployment changed everything
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Are you facing a challenging day today? Our mentors are here if you’d like someone to talk to.

“For those who are LED by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans?8:14).

Think about your past week for just a moment. What has been leading you through your days?

•    Are you being led astray in your faith by the company you are keeping?

•    Are you being led by a rushing busyness that brings unrest to your heart and mind?

•    Are you being dragged by your emotions?

God calls us to be LED by the Spirit of God. But it’s not always an easy thing to wrap your mind around. Here is a tool, in the form of the acronym LED, to help you intentionally allow yourself to be LED by God’s Spirit today.

Romans 8:14 “For those who are LED by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

1.    L- Look for His mercies

Lamentations 3:22-23 “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

EVERY MORNING God’s love and faithfulness are fresh to draw upon. His care is unlimited. His plan is not for us to be “consumed” by the circumstances and cares of our day. Turn your thoughts to His love and faithfulness before our feet hit the floor in the morning and as you drift off to sleep at night.

Psalm 92:2 “It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening”

Sandwich your day between declaring His love afresh over you in the morning and in the evening thanking Him for His faithful care.

2.    E- Encourage daily

Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Take the time to get into God’s presence to allow His word to encourage your heart. Listen for His still, small voice as He nudges you to offer a word of encouragement to others as you go through your day.

All of us can be deceived by the lie, “You are all alone”. Especially at times of loss or crisis or difficult days. Our hearts can begin to harden and we need the daily encouragement of our Lord and of each other as we share the journey of life.

3.   D-Declare Thanksgiving

Psalm 50:23  “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”

Thanksgiving is so much more than the trite “be thankful” or “have an attitude of gratitude”. These are good reminders to keep a thankful outlook yet thanksgiving is so much more.

It is a DOORWAY that actually opens the way for God to show His salvation, for God to amaze us and bring His plans and purposes to pass. It prepares the way for God to come into our lives and our circumstances. WOW!

Father God, today I want to be LED by Your Spirit in a fresh way. Show me Your mercies today as I look for them. Encourage my heart and show me who I can also encourage. And give me a fresh outlook of thanksgiving that I might open that door that prepares the way for Your deliverance in my life. Fill me with rejoicing and thanksgiving for all You are and for Your never-ending love and faithfulness to me. I love You Lord and I look to You to lead me this day. In the name of Jesus I pray,amen.

Questions: What has been leading you this past week? Are you being led astray in your faith by the company you are keeping? Are you being led by a rushing busyness that brings unrest to your heart and mind? Are you being dragged by your emotions?