Decorating For Christmas 🎄 A Special Thanksgiving Devotion

Today’s devotion is based on a devotion by Tracie Miles at Proverb 31 Ministry’s titled: Don't Let Details Distract You from Thankfulness 

1 Thessalonians 5 18
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

I’m sure we are all familiar with the popular comic strip Peanuts, and the Thanksgiving special “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”.

Watching this show became one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions.

And who could forget Linus’ prayer at the dinner table that showed how to be thankful at Thanksgiving…
But also, how Peppermint Patty’s behavior showed how NOT to be.
So, to refresh your memory…

Peppermint Patty, is sitting down at the Thanksgiving table, and it was her that made the honorable suggestion to say grace before they began eating. But her reason for praying was because, "It’s Thanksgiving, you know."
It was Peppermint Patty that initiated the call to prayer however, it was out of a perceived obligation. Her actions on the other hand proved she only had head-knowledge of true thankfulness, not heart-knowledge.
As soon as Linus said Amen, she looked around the table and details began to distract her from any thankfulness for the gifts they’d been given.
When her expectations of what Thanksgiving should look like didn’t match up with her reality, Peppermint Patty got upset and irritated and she began to verbally express her dissatisfaction and became annoyed with one of the guests which happened to be Snoopy.
She was agitated about the food that didn’t meet her traditional requirements. She complained and yelled, having quickly forgotten all about Linus’ prayer and the importance of being truly thankful. Instead she became focused on the little annoyances instead of true gratitude.

Can you relate? I know I can, especially when my children were young.

We have this idea of how we want the holiday to look, but our reality doesn’t match up to our expectations. Difficult circumstances and details can distract us from our appreciation and gratefulness to God.

Today’s Bible verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, says “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Here we read when we are to be thankful — in all circumstances.

And we read why we are to be thankful — because this is God’s will for all believers as He knows a grateful heart is a happy heart.
We can be thankful no matter what we’re facing, because God is worthy of our thanksgiving.

In this verse, the Apostle Paul is giving instructions on how to gain heart-knowledge, not just head-knowledge, of true gratitude. We’re to be thankful in the midst of all circumstances, not merely those that are easy and pleasant.

I realize this is far easier said than done. God asks us to trust His ways even when we don’t understand them. We’re to be thankful for the gifts He has given us, not focused on what we don’t yet have.

Rarely do families get through Thanksgiving dinner with perfectly cooked food … children with pristine manners … babies who don’t cry or refrain from picking inopportune times for dirty diapers … siblings who don't argue … spouses who don't quarrel … drinks that go un-spilled … or family members in total agreement about which football game to watch and who agree on politics.

The enemy wants to use all these side details to distract us from what we really should be focusing on: The Giver of the gifts, not the gifts themselves.

During the holidays, we can easily morph into a Peppermint Patty if we’re not careful.
Let us not be people who gives thanks with our mouth and not with our heart.

Let’s not be people who are so distracted by the less-than-desired details that we overlook the indebtedness we should have in our heart for Christ — not just for how He blesses, but for Who He is.



Life Happens and…
Life’s not always easy, holidays aren’t always perfect or peaceful.
But we can always have a heart full of thankfulness if we remember Who gives us reasons to be thankful, not just what we’re thankful for.

So as Thanksgiving approaches take a moment and pray…
That Lord, help you when you start letting details of the holidays, annoying frustrations or unmet expectations distract you from all the reasons you have to be abundantly and eternally grateful.
Ask the Lord to help you have a heart full of thankfulness every day, but especially on Thanksgiving… a day specifically set aside to be grateful.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! I am so thankful for each and everyone of you… God bless!

Take care, Stay safe and God bless.