This was the first year the family gathered at our house for Thanksgiving. We didn't take many pictures, but here are a few.
After we enjoyed a great meal together, we enjoyed playing a card game.
These were some special decorations the kids made. Caleb memorized Psalm 100 and made a coloring book of the Thanksgiving Story. Alisia made the Turkey-pinecone and wrote us a thank-you note for being her parents.I'm so thankful for the relaxing time we had as a family!
The truth is, our hearts are full of greed, discontent and complaining. We are not easily pleased and are always looking for more, bigger, and better. It's easier to think about what we want, rather than to be grateful for what we already have. It is our nature, especially in this culture to accumulate, dream, and admire what others have. It makes us feel like we need more, more will make us happy, we deserve more. If this is our true reason for living, we will never reach the end. We will never be able to say, "Enough."
We were built for so much more than earthly posessions. In reality, earthly posessions are only temporary. We must realize that it all belongs to God. This will make us greatful and more responsible for what he has entrusted to us. This change in our heart will make being thankful a way of life instead of one day a year. I need this reminder:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."
Psalm100:4
Why is it that we have to be reminded to be thankful? Why do we have to set aside a day for thanksgiving? Why does scripture remind us of this over and over again?
The truth is, our hearts are full of greed, discontent and complaining. We are not easily pleased and are always looking for more, bigger, and better. It's easier to think about what we want, rather than to be grateful for what we already have. It is our nature, especially in this culture to accumulate, dream, and admire what others have. It makes us feel like we need more, more will make us happy, we deserve more. If this is our true reason for living, we will never reach the end. We will never be able to say, "Enough."
I find myself falling into this trap all too often. I recently re-read these words Jesus said:
"Beware and be on your guard against every form of greed; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Luke 12:15
We were built for so much more than earthly posessions. In reality, earthly posessions are only temporary. We must realize that it all belongs to God. This will make us greatful and more responsible for what he has entrusted to us. This change in our heart will make being thankful a way of life instead of one day a year. I need this reminder:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21
2 comments:
Thanks for the reminder, I'm thankful I have a friend like you who reminds me of such things, encourages me when needed and keeps me accoutable. Happy Thanksgiving.
Good stuff! You're so right...it's easier to take than to give. I love the Psalm 100 coloring book! What a wonderful idea! Care if I borrow that for my family next year? It's so important to teach our children to be thankful EVERY day, not just in Nov. Thanks for sharing your sweet family moments!
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