Like every other blogger out there, I’m taking time out of my day to write about Thanksgiving. However, this isn’t the stereotypical message most people will be giving out. Or at least, I hope I can share something a little bit different than everyone else out there.

I know not even 2 weeks ago, we discovered who our President will be. I also know that for Thanksgiving, relatives we haven’t seen in months will be popping up out from under the baseboards – some of which we’ve never been more excited to see, and others we can’t help but be a bit apprehensive about their visit. We love them; they’re family. But I think we all have that one family member that hasn’t learned how to keep some of their opinions to themselves. Or maybe you are that family member. I think we all can be a little opinionated about certain things.

You might be like so many others right now, packing up your belongings, your pet, your kids, your make-up bag that’s bursting at the seams – and you’re unsure of how things will go. You have strong Republicans mixed with your spare liberals and you’re afraid the happy, Thanksgiving feast will be put to a screeching halt as soon as someone asks them to pass the salt. You hope for the best, because no one wants to brace themselves for a family war. And you shouldn’t.

Beloved ones, I hope you can put aside any unease about the holiday gatherings you have planned. Because if you go in prepared for a war, blade drawn, you can almost certainly expect to have one. I hope you trust in the Lord and see Him for how good He is. I pray that you can have patience; I pray you know when to hold your tongue and when to speak wisdom through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. I pray that you enjoy the time you have with your family, especially those you don’t see near as often as you like. I pray that you seek out similarities with each other first, before delving into differences. And I pray that above all else, you love each other and treat each other like brothers and sisters of Christ should.

So with that said, here are a few tips to start your Thanksgiving off right!

Offer to Help

No matter how your feast is organized, there’s always something to do. Whether it’s stirring the potatoes, checking the turkey or setting the table, I’m sure you can find a way to help out. Not only does this get the food on the table quicker, but I’m sure your loved ones will appreciate it.

Keep Conversations Positive

You’ve most likely not seen these members of your family in months – or maybe even since the last Thanksgiving. I have faith you can keep things positive by simply catching up. I’m sure we all wish we could visit with each other more often, so make the most of the time you have together.

Take a Nap

Once your belly is filled with turkey and mashed potatoes galore, get some shut-eye. I know I will! There’s something so satisfying about being content with good food and then drifting off for a quick snooze. I mean, really, who doesn’t feel better after a good nap?

Do the Dishes!

Seriously. Just do them.  🙂

Multiple Meals?

For those of you with multiple meals to go to and a multitude of family members to make happy, please know my heart goes out to you. I know how stressful that can be – and how you feel as though you’ll never get rest. Whether it’s because of divorced parents or newlyweds joining families for the first time, trying to make it work – I feel your pain. Be patient with your relatives and know they mean well. After all, they just want to spend as much time with you as possible and you can’t really blame them for that. Just make the most of the time you have with each part of your family, taking time to relax before jetting off to your next location.

Show Love

In all things you do throughout the day, show love. Whether it’s making a plate for a younger sibling or your grandmother or getting up to get something so your Great Aunt Susie doesn’t have to (for the 16th time), find ways to serve your family. Even having patience when your sister take 30 minutes to tell a 5 minute story helps. Just be grateful for the time you do have with your family. You may not get to choose them, but you do get to choose to love them and accept them for who they are and where they’re at in life.

Beloved ones, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with lots of love and laughter. I’d love to hear how  your Thanksgiving goes – or about past memories you always look back on fondly! Feel free to share your thoughts below!

Until next time,
xoxo