5 Ways to Make This the Best Thanksgiving Ever! (Yes, this Thanksgiving!)

I know what you’re probably thinking — “Not this Thanksgiving.” This year, it seems people are giving up on Thanksgiving. Now, maybe they aren’t outright saying it, but it seems to be what people are feeling. People are downtrodden, tired, and perplexed, and the idea of “Thanksgiving” appears to have been lost in the commotion.

Some folks are sick. Families aren’t gathering. The nation is divided. The future is unclear. And, from what I can tell, people are throwing in the towel on the idea of a few days set aside to celebrate in thankfulness. Maybe Christmas will be better?

Not so fast!

I believe it is time to be thankful. Actually, it may be just what we need! What follows is a practical list of five very real steps to make this the best Thanksgiving ever. No joke — the best ever!

Without doubt, this is the starting place, because, ultimately, we are not thanking a nation, a situation, or a person. We are thanking God Himself. The process of giving thanks has to begin with a true, meaningful look at the One worthy of all praise and glory.

My encouragement is to take your time here. Grab your Bible and spend several hours over the next several days focusing on the great God we serve. Read about His astounding works, His beautiful, magnificent character, and His lavish love. Write down your favorite verses revealing His nature, His deeds, and His promises. Reflect on the praise saints who’ve gone before gave to the one true God. Talk about Him with your family and friends; tell them how impressed you are by Him. Remind yourself of His majesty as you see the leaves fall off of trees He created, of His faithfulness as you see summer replaced by fall as it has been every year, of the hope of His redemption as you remember the plants going dormant will wake again in spring.

As you look for ways to make this the best Thanksgiving ever, remember Who you are thanking.

Especially this year, we might be overcome by all the things we feel are lost. A sense of normalcy, high school graduations, family gatherings, freedoms we took for granted all seem to have escaped our grasp. But, if we keep dwelling on all the things we’re missing, we can lose sight of all our many blessings. Right now, instead of what is lost, choose to remember all that you have. The truth is, as believers, the blessings of life will far exceed and outweigh all the things we believe have been surrendered. Let us be people who are overwhelmed as we make a list of each blessing from the Lord.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

We are not in this alone. We are not the only ones feeling the way we do. Weighed down by recent events and isolated from others, one of the greatest needs of today is encouragement. And, God knew. That’s why the New Testament is full of His admonitions to encourage one another.

In the next few days, thoughtfully, deliberately, and generously thank others. Mail cards. Send texts. Put gifts on neighbors’ doorsteps. Cover for coworkers. Loudly and clearly let people know you see them and are thankful for them. And, then, watch as joy becomes contagious. Watch as walking in God’s wise counsel lifts your spirits as well.

“… And he who waters will himself be watered.” – Proverbs 11:25

Oh, Believer, you read that right. As we come to our celebration of Thanksgiving, we should do just that — celebrate! Remembering Who our God is, remembering how great our salvation is, surveying all the tremendous blessings and good things He has bestowed on us, we above all people should feast on the astonishing goodness! Laugh until you cry. Eat good food. Throw a football with your kids or grandkids. Sing as you baste the turkey. Take a nap. Hold a baby. Put on a jacket and try to count the evening stars as they appear. Share stories of God’s faithfulness in days past.

Our God is oh, so good! Feast on the goodness! Make such a scene that the watching world can’t help but notice! Celebrate!

“O taste and see that the LORD is good;“ – Psalm 34:8

This step is really the centerpiece of it all. Any other step carried out without this step will miss its purpose. As God’s people full of hope and trusting in His promise, we can and should radically, marvelously, lavishly thank God. We do this in prayer. We thank God by actually speaking of our gratefulness with our mouths.

Perhaps these days should be the most prayer-bathed days of the year. Pray before you get out of bed, thanking Him for the blessings of life and a new day. Pray with your family — encouraging all to pray, going slowly, naming each of the blessings of this year, modeling it for watchful eyes. Pray in the services of your church, even approaching the altar in humility, kneeling, and publicly thanking Him. Set aside time for extended periods of prayer, praising His faithfulness and graciousness shown to sinners. Pray as you retire to your bed, thanking Him for His great love. This year — especially this year, radically thank God!

“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;” – Psalm 50:23