Cornucovid - How to Have a Happy Thanksgiving Anyway!

This year has certainly brought many changes and interruptions to our lives. The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays unfortunately will be also affected. For many of us, these unwelcome adjustments or downright cancellations of what we’ve known and loved nearly all our lives threaten to bring frustration and discouragement rather than joyous celebration.

But let’s not give up yet. If Covid has taught us anything, it has helped us to see the things that are truly important in life – faith, family, connection with others, health, having the basics, and keeping a positive attitude in the midst of it all.

The interesting thing about attitude is that it is the one thing in all of this that we can actually control. Someone once said life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it. That response is a choice. A choice of what we will do with the hand we’ve been dealt. A choice to focus on the donut (what we DO have) or the hole (what we don’t have). A choice to sit back and let circumstances dictate our happiness or to put energy into creating that happiness.

For example, we all appreciate a meal surrounded by loved ones. That’s probably not going to happen for most of us. So what can we do? Here are some ideas:

• Take a meal to a family member or someone else we know will not have one this year.
• Connect with loved ones over the phone, Zoom, Skype, etc.
• Rather than simply eating with them as in other years, tell someone why you personally value them.
• Focus on that donut. Most of us still have all we need and much more.
• Give thanks for that donut. After all, that IS what Thanksgiving is really all about, isn’t it?
• Think of those basics – the fact you’re still breathing (and not on a vent!), a roof over your head, food in the fridge, heat, lights, running water, and a flush toilet.
• Think of the years you DID get to gather with loved ones and enjoy them.
• Think of how the Lord has brought you through other difficulties.
• Think about His awesome unconditional love for you.
• Think of the big picture. This is a temporary thing.
• Think of the loved ones still in your life and the opportunities you still have to positively affect the lives of others – some perhaps for all eternity.
• Make up your mind to use those opportunities – especially now when others need encouragement.
• Take a moment to pray for those who are hurting - prayer is powerful and effective.
• Think of the bigger picture. If Jesus is your Savior, you have an eternity to spend in His presence where there is no more pain, tears, etc.

Obviously, this is not a complete list, but you get the picture. Having a HAPPY Thanksgiving – even during this pandemic – is within our grasp. Making it happier for others is too. Let’s not let this virus cheat us out of our holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!