By Nicole Hillman

Thanksgiving Day started with two different cultures coming together as one to celebrate and give thanks for gifts, relationships, hope, and family. "In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Growing up, my mother always celebrated the holiday in a grand traditional style. Thanksgiving was always a big holiday in our family. My grandfather or father would get up early to make the dressing for the turkey and make sure it made it in the oven on time. My mother would make sure everything was special so the day would be just right. She would even stay up over night making rainbow Jell-O. My favorite was grandma’s sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top. It was exciting knowing that the family recipes that only seemed to be used during the holidays would be served. There were some great traditions like watching White Christmas after dinner, and playing card games.

The thing my mother taught me about the Thanksgiving holiday is that it's more than eating with relatives and playing with the cousins. She taught us that Thanksgiving is about being thankful for our blessings and to give to others. She didn't teach us by lecturing, she taught us by doing, for on Thanksgiving our home was open to everyone. We always had guests who weren't blood relatives. Guests would be my mother's single friends, divorced women or men whose children were with their other parent. Anyone who didn’t have somewhere to go would be invited with open arms to the Hillman house for Thanksgiving. I remember one Thanksgiving we had twenty people for dinner and only seven were relatives, but all twenty became family. Like the early Thanksgivings it was about bringing people together and being grateful for what they had. My mother taught me to be thankful for what I had and share that with others.

As an adult it is very natural for me to invite friends and neighbors for the holiday dinner. I have served complete Thanksgivings with just friends, co-worker, and neighbors who couldn't go home to be with family or didn't have family to celebrate with. I can't explain the wonderful feeling you get when you open your home and sharing this special meal with someone who otherwise would have been alone.

As you celebrate with family and friends this Thanksgiving, give thanks to God for your blessing. Maybe you might invite someone to your dinner table that would love to be part of your family this holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grateful
Give Thanks to the Lord
As For Me And My House