Thanksgiving....Traditional or No?

It's funny how time changes things....when I was a child, I loved the familiarity of tradition and knowing exactly what was going to be happening.


Today, however, I was talking to Peter about how much I really love that Thanksgiving isn't just a time for "immediate/bio" family. But for gathering together all your friends and those who don't have a place to go. It's having a time of gathering memories, blessings and enjoying the fellowship of those in your home.

I remember with fondness the first Thanksgiving we had T-Boss, we found out that his bio mom wouldn't have a place to go. So we invited her and her newborn baby over for Thanksgiving at my in-law's house.

Things are always changing, now Peter's side of the family gets together in the summer for a reunion. So we no longer travel on Thanksgiving weekend to see his side of the family. My parents have moved back to town, so now we have a separate Thanksgiving dinner with just my parents and my brother. (That happened a couple weeks ago. You can read about it on my mom's blog.)

This year, my bestie and her family are down for Second Thanksgiving! They came on Wednesday and are here through Sunday. (Post on our weekend coming in a few days!) It has been such a blessing! We love them dearly and the thought of spending a weekend with them filled us with so much joy!

The little ones that come in and out of our lives changes....last year we were in the middle of a long-term placement that ended this May, so that young man is not with us this year. This year, we shared our Family Thanksgiving with a set of infant twins we have had for three months, but now they have moved. The sadness of that transition was soon replaced by a little three year old boy we fondly call Stuart Little. We have been transitioning him into our home for a couple weeks now. He officially moved in two days ago. He's a challenge, but one that God has called us to take on!

What is my point in all this...? My friend, Glenda, said it perfectly in her blog post "Is Tradition Worth All This Crazy??", she said,"But somewhere over the last decade, be it ever so gradual, my compulsion for tradition has subsided. And I am…quite pleasantly…relieved. "

My point is that tradition is nice. We have some things that seem to stay the same year to year regardless of what else is happening. But my challenge to you as the holidays come on, is to embrace your family and friends. Put tradition on a shelf if it is clogging your calendar with things that "have to be done" and just enjoy the loved ones God has put in your life. Reach out to people who need a friend or need to be shown Christ's love. Allow Him to use you as His hands and feet!

Till next time...

Have a blessed day and embrace the craziness in your life!


Heidi