As I (Cindy) was preparing for Thanksgiving (our son and daughter-in-law will be traveling in from Chicago to be with us—YEAH!) the thought occurred to me—with all the preparing that needs to be done, how many of us remember to prepare our hearts in celebration of Thanksgiving Day?

We prepare for Thanksgiving Day by shopping, chopping, cooking, and looking (at all that needs to be done). We make sure our home is especially clean, we prepare the food, and we set the table—but do we make sure that our hearts are clean before the Lord (after-all, He’s the One we’re honoring on that day)?

Do we prepare our homes by prayer-walking throughout each room so that whoever enters will sense the love and peace of God? Do we set the atmosphere to be one of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? After-all, most of us don’t forget to include into our Thanksgiving Day meal something with the fruits: pumpkin (in pie-form) and cranberries—but do we forget to include the “fruit of the Spirit” (as listed in Galatians 5:22) in how we treat each other?

Sometimes we act as if Thanksgiving Day is all about “turkey day”—a day where we stuff ourselves with turkey and various other goodies but we forget that it’s a special day put aside to celebrate our thankfulness for all the Lord has provided for us.

If in all the “busy-ness” of preparing for this special celebration, we forget to be kind to one another—aren’t we too busy? Aren’t we forgetting the main point of why we’re celebrating in the first place? Aren’t we forgetting WHO we’re honoring, thanking and praising Him and what He wants to do in and through us?

We need to keep in mind that the purpose of this day and every day is “not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by His purpose and for His purpose.” (Rick Warren)

In our quiet times together, we’ve been reading a book by Rick Warren entitled: The Purpose Driven Life. What an awesome book to read together. It’s a “40-day spiritual journey” with brief chapters to read together but the messages are POWERFUL! It’s been talked about that it may become a Christian classic along the line of Oswald Chambers and Watchman Nee’s material.

What does all of this have to do with marriage? It has everything to do with marriage. Too often during the holidays those that are closest to us get the brunt of our anxiety over all that we think we need to do to prepare for it. It’s reported that holidays are when family disputes hit a year-long high—ask any police officer. For this reason we pray we all will “be self-controlled and alert” as we’re warned in 1 Peter 5:8, because the enemy of our faith would love to get us to fight with each other. If we’re fighting with each other, we’re not fighting against him.

We need to always be mindful to face each day and each relationship in the light of eternity. As Rick Warren states:

“When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life is just preparation for eternity, you will begin to live differently. You will start living in light of eternity, and that will color how you handle every relationship, task, and circumstance. Suddenly many activities, goals, and even problems that seemed so important will appear trivial, petty, and unworthy of your attention. The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears.”

So as you prepare for the Thanksgiving Day Celebration, view that day and every day leading up to and proceeding that day in the light of eternity. Are you so busy preparing physically for it that you’re distracted from “living Christ” throughout it? Are you loving your spouse “as unto the Lord” demonstrating the love of God even when it doesn’t seem convenient?

Don’t forget to prepare the food, the table, your home, and your attitudes with all the strength and ability the Lord can give you as you pray, prepare, and demonstrate your thankfulness and love to God on Thanksgiving Day.

In closing, few helpful scriptures to keep in mind are:

• Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:14-15)

• Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

• Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. (2 Timothy 2:16-17)

• Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9-10)

• In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:1-2)

• You are a letter written on our hearts known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ; written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3)

• Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13)

• Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:17-18)

• Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9)

Our love and prayers are with you as together we strive to make our marriages the best they can be through the love and grace of God.

For you, we give thanks,
Steve and Cindy Wright

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