Autumn & Thanksgiving

We can be thankful for so many things in our lives. Gather your family, talk about what is most important to you, and incorporate these prayers into your Thanksgiving gathering this year.

Navigate this Thanksgiving with confidence by knowing these six questions you’re not obligated to answer, keeping the focus on gratitude and connection.

This Thanksgiving, it’s not about the menu, it’s about who we’re gathered with and the God who holds it all together. Here are five ways to center your holiday on purpose, not perfection.

Take the 10-day Thankfulness Challenge! This is a perfect time to commit to cultivating more gratitude as you prepare your heart for Thanksgiving.

From cheese grits to peppermint fudge, these dishes are beloved for a reason.

Even if the family member is trying to say something that they think is encouraging, such as, "You look so much better since you lost weight," it can be extremely hurtful. They think it is a compliment, but it is actually salt in the wound. Whether or not you are personally affected by body size or body weight conversation, don't start conversations surrounding these topics. When you praise weight loss, you could be praising an eating disorder and when you demonize weight gain, you could be demonizing healing.

No matter what you’re doing to celebrate this week, here are a few things you can do to cut out costs, pressure, and stress.

A marriage thrives when both the husband and wife love Christ more than anyone in life, including their spouse. And when they look to The Lord as their provider - rather than demanding their spouse meet all their needs. When you learn to devote your heart to loving the Lord, there will be a natural outpouring of thankfulness and God's love spilling out of your heart and onto those around you - especially your marriage partner.

Family conflicts. Long travel times. Rushing around to try to make things "perfect." The holidays can be a difficult time for many, but they don't have to be devoid of peace. Read through these eight verses and prayers to help you pause, breathe, and lean into the peace of Christ this holiday season.

Thanksgiving is not just a time for some great food and family time. It's also a time to remember our blessings and have fellowship with other believers. These Thanksgiving hymns remind us how to give thanks to our heavenly father during this season.

When your grandchildren visit, you may say, "I am so delighted you are here. You are such a wonderful gift from God." You may adopt a gratitude moment at meals. You may simply choose to hug them every time you see them and call out something you love about them.

Do your kids like to do crafts? Do you have a budding artist in the family? With Thanksgiving coming up, there will be lots of things for you to do. Instead of going out and buying a bunch of decor, why not let your kids make some crafts to decorate your home?

Your primary emotional and relational commitment must be toward building and protecting your marriage, even during family gatherings. The challenge arises when external pressures, such as expectations from parents or siblings, interfere with this unity. Perhaps one set of parents wants you to spend the entire holiday at their house, or your extended family members make passive-aggressive comments about how much time you’re devoting to your spouse versus them.

The best holiday is one in which we are as emotionally healthy as possible. That includes ridding my heart of perfectionism and focusing on the grace and mercy of Jesus.

Friendsgiving offers the opportunity for those who cannot celebrate Thanksgiving with family to participate with close friends and loved ones.