Hello friends! Just to set the record straight: this is not a post about a good old mustache-growing contest, ( sorry, hunting hubby) but about the idea of MORE.

More hugs, more calls, more hellos, more thank you’s, more “I understand,” more “It’s going to be okay,” more I’m sorry’s, more I love you’s, more hope.

Because with a heart filled with MORE- there is LESS room for the deceiver. Who brings strife, stress, confusion, conflict, chaos, with each door we leave open. And he loves the holidays. We’ll touch on that in a minute…

More can also help us get into gear- the right now– the “I should…”

There was the most beautiful maple tree on fire with color in my neighbor’s yard, and I kept telling myself to stop and take a photo of it. Day after day, I would try to take a moment and soak in awe of its beauty – but I was always busy running around. One day, on a particularly quiet morning, I went out with my coffee, phone in hand, ready to finally take that photo. Only to find that every single one of the gorgeous leaves had already dropped, prompted by the cool nights and hurried wind. I had missed it.

What else are we telling ourselves can wait, but the true moment flies right by? A phone call? A smile to a sad stranger? A letter to a long distance friend?

The devil wants us to think on it, mull it over, add it to the bottom of the list. He’ll push you to kick-start with what can only be seen first… then, if and only if you have time- to tackle the unseen… the interior work of the day… the stuff you believe no one will notice…

But truth be told- those are often times the most important things ever on a list.

I heard this quote the other day and it stopped me in my tracks. I suppose in my case- if I am perfectly, painfully honest-I could end up waking up with a very organized house, with gorgeous pillows and paintings on the wall, but, depending on the day before, with no one actually living in it.

Am I thankful for each moment for the messes my children make? The endless laundry? The sassy attitudes? The dishes left in the sink for me day after day? The conflict a busy work schedule brings between a man and wife?

What if it all went away? The good and the bad? The things I took for granted?

I know many holiday movies are made with the premise of the main character being utterly overwhelmed and making a wish they could live it all over again- because it must be better on the other side…

*in a new home- that is a blinding color of white, complete with chandeliers in every closet and self-vacuuming sofas

*with a new job- one that comes with perks like a corner office of windows and a personal secretary that brings you coffee and shows up with a notebook in hand, and is also your secret best friend

*even with a new spouse- the hunky, high school quarterback that winked at you before the homecoming dance

And at the end of every movie- there is a moment of clarity: that it wasn’t so terrible the way it used to be. The good and the bad. Because it’s what life is made of. And how we charter these waters of imperfection and the ups and downs are what makes us truly live. Our attitude of gratitude can save our souls…

What if we, before it was too late, also had a moment of clarity like the pinnacle of a Hollywood movie? With tearful conviction and heart pounding, that what surrounds us– the things that annoy us, make us frustrated, bring us to our breaking points are many times the things that bring other people on their knees for in prayer?

Will we wake up on Thanksgiving, tummy grumbling, empty and ready to be filled?

I love a good turkey and pumpkin cheesecake-

But what if we arrived on the day of Thanksgiving already FULL … of the REALLY good stuff?

Of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control?

How blessed would our time together be? How great would our GRATEFULness be?

Life changing… and leaving very little room for anything unfortunate to sneak in.

As I read these words, a new perspective is put in place for this day of gathering, thanks and giving.

I pray each of your tables are brimming with turkey and all the trimmings- including a dusting of love, a sprinkle of kindness and a dash of forgiveness. Is there really anything better we could use a little more of?

Happy, happy Thanksgiving to you, friends.

BONUS-

A Thanksgiving Craft- thankful pumpkins