What's so Special About Gratitude at Thanksgiving? - Grit & Grace

It is a new time of year,
But not for toys nor time for cheer.
It is time for family, food and Thanksgiving.
But the rest of the world does not seem to know this.
All I see is Christmas ads and propaganda.
Half the houses down my street already shine with bright lights.
My family as well cannot wait for the day after Thanksgiving,
when Christmas decorations can begin to flood our halls and house.
Therefore, I can’t help but wonder, is there any more Thanksgiving?
Or has that day been set aside for eating lots of food and watching football?
What is Thanksgiving anymore?
Does it even require the title anymore?
Isn’t it just a day where we eat a little more than others?
I ask you a simple question then: why is Thanksgiving special?

My son wrote this poem about gratitude on Thanksgiving almost three years ago as part of a poetry journal project for school.  I love how his formatting made it kind of resemble a Christmas tree.  I remember he wasn’t too thrilled when I pointed that out to him once upon a time.  He would have preferred that his poem about how society tends to speed towards Christmas without giving Thanksgiving more than just a passing glance NOT be shaped like a Christmas tree.

The fall months tend to be busy around here.  It’s a little different than our regular busy, though.  It’s a busy that’s leading towards rest.  We know it – it’s in the air!  It’s a rest we purposely try to walk in during this time of year.  Intentionally slowing things down, so we don’t miss a second of it.  It’s one of the reasons why I love this time of year so much.

Fresh perspective.

When I first read this poem several years ago, it challenged me.  Sure, Christmas is my favorite time of year.  But was I so focused on getting to Christmas that I was skipping by Thanksgiving?  We see it all around us already.  Christmas decor and sales are starting earlier and earlier each year.  I’ve barely put away the Halloween candy before I start seeing neighbors put up their Christmas lights.  I guess what his poem asks of us is appropriate.

Is there any more Thanksgiving?  What is Thanksgiving anymore?  Has it turned into just a day where we eat a little more than others?

Those questions lead to more.

Am I using the title of the day to remind me what the purpose of the day should be?  Am I being purposeful with this day at all?  Have I forgotten that the title of this day, Thanksgiving, should be pointing me towards what I purpose to walk in each and every day, not just this day?

Fresh gratitude.

Thinking about these questions has given me fresh pause about my level of gratitude on Thanksgiving.  His poem has reminded me to stop trying to breeze through things in order to get to what I really want.  When I do that, I miss the special that’s been set aside for me in that very moment.

All this from a poetry journal assignment he dragged his feet to even complete in the first place.

Full circle gratitude.

Becky is a Miami native, and has lived here all of her life. Married to her husband for over 20 years, they lead a very active lifestyle along with their three teenagers and Riley, their rescue dog. Becky loves to teach, and has had the awesome privilege of home educating her children for over twelve years. When not teaching academics, Becky loves to equip, encourage, and empower women through the teaching of her group fitness classes. Becky and her husband lead various ministries, and their family loves to serve the community through the countless opportunities provided over the past twenty years+ in their local church. She enjoys filling her “free” time with reading, writing, watching movies, and just spending time with the family. Becky has a passion for living her life with grit and grace, and encouraging others to do the same.