Have a Peaceful & Stress-Free Thanksgiving!

    I always wondered how my mom handled Thanksgiving like a pro. Every year, without fail, she seemed to glide through the chaos of the holiday with a calm efficiency that felt almost magical. She would prepare so many dinner items—turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, greens, pies, breads, and things I can barely remember now—enough food to feed at least six people at the table and still have plenty left over. And it wasn’t just leftovers for us. My mom always made sure there was extra to take to neighbors or to give to the lonely seniors in our community who didn’t have anyone to celebrate with. She never made a big deal about it; she simply packed up plates, covered them in foil, and had us deliver them with a warm smile, as though it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

    Now I find myself doing the same thing. It’s funny—or maybe it’s inevitable—how we tend to inherit the habits of those who raised us. I never set out with a grand plan to copy her traditions, but over the years, I noticed that I was shopping for the same ingredients, using the same oversized pots, and somehow ending up with the same overflowing countertops. And when my wife sees someone who might be spending the holiday alone, I can hear her voice softly urging me to make just a little extra. So I do. I cook, I package, I share. Part of me hopes I’m honoring her memory; another part suspects I’m only now beginning to really understand the quiet, generous rhythm of her heart. 

    I often think that those who are truly blessed might feel inspired to share with others—not because they have to, but because they genuinely feel thankful. It seems like a heartfelt way to express appreciation, reminding us that abundance isn’t just for ourselves. Perhaps blessings increase when they’re shared freely. My mother always believed that kindness tends to multiply, even when no one is looking. I’m starting to see what she meant and truly appreciate her love and wisdom. Keep the peace this year, you never know if you'll see the same people back at your table the next year. Remember that we are blessed to break bread together in memory of those who are gone before us.

    What I do know is that two days before Thanksgiving, I am exhausted. Completely, undeniably exhausted. My feet ache, my back complains, and I find myself questioning whether I’ve taken on too much yet again. But even as I stand in the kitchen surrounded by dishes, timers, and grocery bags, I can’t help but feel a quiet warmth settle in. This is the same tiredness my mother must have felt each year, the same mixture of stress and satisfaction. And somehow, that makes the exhaustion feel worth it. It connects me to her, to the people I cook for, and to the spirit of the holiday itself—a reminder that giving, even when it wears you out, can fill you in ways nothing else can. 

    Thanksgiving is an ongoing celebration. Every day ought to be a day of gratitude, acknowledging the blessings and grace Jesus has bestowed upon us. I am blessed with a wise and understanding wife.  Indeed, the occasion of Thanksgiving should serve as a reminder that the Coming of the Lord is imminent. The Advent season prepares us for the renewed presence of Emmanuel. This message does not pertain to the commercially driven Christmas but instead emphasizes salvation and the coming of the Savior of the World.