It's Thanksgiving week, folks, and like the rest of the mothers in America,
I'm as busy as Priscilla Alden getting ready for a three day feast.
OK, maybe not quite that busy. I don't have to chop the wood and stoke the fires or anything, but I'm still busy getting ready for the days ahead. That's because in the next day and a half, my two favorite pilgrims will be arriving home for the holiday.
One on wheels...
One on wings.
That's why, in the middle of this busy day, I want to stop and thank God for some important people who have gone before me, people without whom this celebration would be impossible.
Orville and Wilbur Wright
and Henry Ford.
Yes, I know that Henry didn't invent the automobile. I thank God for that man too, whoever he is. Henry did, however, dream up a way for middle class folks like us to be able to afford one of those wonderful contraptions. Somehow, I can't picture Miss Whimsy riding a mule all the way home from Mercer University.
And I definitely can't picture The Practical One on a racing steed
all the way from Washington DC.
A stagecoach, maybe...
wearing a jaunty little hat.
In truth, without the gifts of imagination, intellect, and courage that God gave those two brothers, I might not be spending Thanksgiving with my DC daughter.
That's why I'm pausing today to thank God for the gifts that He has given to others. You see, it seems to me that we're cultivating a spirit of ingratitude in our world today, a spirit that doesn't appreciate the talents of others, a spirit of gift envy that shows contempt for the Giver.
So today I strike a blow against that spirit, and I thank Him for the gifts He showers on others, the kind of gifts that gave us the airplane and the automobile...
The vacuum cleaner and the washing machine...
the blow dryer and the curling iron...
radiation and chemotherapy...
the computer...
A special shout out to Mary at Home Is Where The Boat Is, one of the most gifted tablescapers in Blog Land. She inspired me to drag out some metallic craft paint and gild those apples on my table. I love the effect. (Better remember to warn the family, or I'll be thanking God for dentists next...)
Happy Thanksgiving!
What gifts of others are you thankful for today?
42 comments:
Good morning! I got excited when I saw that you had posted as I take one last peek on the computer before we leave as I just knew you'd have one of your gorgeous table settings all done up for Thanksgiving, and I wasn't disappointed....soo pretty. Excited for you that your pilgrims will be home for the holiday! YAY! Enjoy every little minute as we all give thanks to our Lord for all of his bountiful blessings this year! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I'm so very thankful that your pilgrims will be home this week, too. I'm thankful my littlest pilgrim could help out with the transporting of your elder pilgrim. I know how much they need to see each other. Don't you just love that about the two of them?
Your table was just lovely. I love the way the napkin rings bring just a little pop of the purple to your table. I'm also thankful to those out there with so much talent and that they are willing to share with me. You most especially!!!
I cannot imagine our lives without the inventions you mentioned and of course disposable diapers and feminine protection. (too much info? sorry).
Thank you God for continuing to inspire so many people. And, even though I'll see you Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving little sister. I love you more than you can ever imagine.
Hi Debbie,
I'm thankful for your gift of creating beautiful tables for the folks who live inside the computer to enjoy. That is such a pretty table!! I love all of it. I've missed your tablescpapes (this from the person who's only done one tablescpape in 2012).
I'm also thankful for your gift of words; you're able to make such relevant points in a much more eloquent way than I ever could. We should always be grateful to these smart and industrious people for making all of our lives better and easier.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, the Mister, and the two sweet pilgrims!!!
Hugs,
Denise
Lovely table, milady! Enjoy your two girls - mine will be taking the turkey with her new husband up in New England at her brother's home. The first time in 25 years she hasn't been at my table . . . :(
Just me and Ed and his daughter - recently come into the Lord's pasture after many years of prodigal living. She is a new creation and we can't be happier or more thankful for restored and growing relationships with her! God is good . . .
Beautiful table to great your gang - may you know His richest blessings this week and always!
Joy!
Kathy
Thankful for your friendship again this year, Debbie...
Lovely table...
Enjoy your pilgrims!
Many blessings and gilded apples in pictures of silver,
Kelley of Kelley Highway
This really is a beautiful post and there are some nuggets of wisdom here...thanking God for the gifts he has given to others...that gift envy shows contempt for the Giver...adds a whole new level to what we should be thankful for.
I am thankful for creative cooks who will be contributing to the meal on Thursday and of course I am thankful as well for the inventor of the automobile which will be bringing my young son home
Say, it's kinda dusty in here...could you give a gal a drink? ;>
What a terrific post. I have never thought to be grateful for Henry, Wilbur or Orville, but you've got a point! So happy that your family will be all together for Thanksgiving. What a beautiful table you set!
Great post, Debbie! Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy quality time with your girls. Love the table, and gilded apples! wow xo
Debbie, how interesting that you mentioned gift envy... My hubby and I were just having a similar conversation earlier today while riding our fantastic interstate system along with other holiday travelers in our fabulous vehicular invention!
I'm so glad your pilgrims will both be home for Thanksgiving! I will sure miss both of mine, but I'm excited about being with my parents and sister's family. Your table is just beautiful, and I'm (honestly!) I'm very thankful you shared it today. I've had so much going on lately -- and mostly home alone -- and I didn't even pull out my Autumn decorations. First time ever! Your table has given me a little bit of excitement about the holiday! (Better late than never, huh?) That's a real gift you've given me today. Thank you!
Have a wonderful holiday with your family. I am ALWAYS thankful when I read your blog because you make me smile, laugh and perhaps even a little sniff or tear in my eye.
I loved that table scape - I mean it. It looked beautiful. I love your grapes napkin ring. And the top little plate is so pretty! I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving too. You have a lot to be thankful for. Sandie
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Debbie. How exciting to have the girls coming home. I love those few days right before they arrive, that delicious gift of anticipation is so much fun!
We celebrated on Sunday so our family could be together, J and her family travel this week to the in laws.
Your post was spot on as usual, and I, too, am grateful for my computer friends and their gifts to me!
Enjoy your family time.
OK, you can't be untruthful with me now. I've seen it for myself. You said you'd lost your tablescaping groove, and then you post this beautiful scape. I love the amber compotes with the gilded apples in them, and you're pretty "give thanks" plates. And oh, those pretty turkey s/p shakers. It's all beautiful. Your commentary always makes me smile, but you are so right. We seem to take so much for granted, and I need to give thanks every day for whomever invented the dishwasher and washing machine. Saying a prayer for safe travels for your girls. Wishing all of you a wonderful Thanks-giving. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to read your blog. I get so much out of all of your posts. I make sure I come over to read your Sunday posts eacg weej, Thank you for all of the inspiration you provide. laurie
Debbie, I have T'giving cooking on the mind. That's why my comment says "you're" where it should say "your" and there is a hyphen in the middle of the word T'giving, and "eacg weekj" is where it should say "each week". That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
Debbie~ I snorted my Diet Coke when I read the Wright Brothers
and Henry Ford! I can always count on your witty repartee bringing a smile to my face, note to self: do not sip while visiting :)
I love your Giving Thanks plates and your amber compote offering up gilded apples. I'm glad I inspired you to gild, thanks for your kinds words {blush}. I was putting away some dishes today thinking I should convert my upstairs shower/bath no one uses to dish storage :)
Wishing your pilgrims safe travels and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Your tablescape and words that go with it today are both wonderful. I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving with all your family around you.
Also I totally agree - the apples do look good! I love the floral centrepiece too. Very pretty.
Debbie, As always your table is as lovely as the sentiment of thankfulness in your post. I agree with you about gift envy. I am SOOO very thankful for the gifts God gave others that I get to enjoy. :)
I'm about to head out in that four-wheeled invention myself for the annual holiday road trip. Hope you and yours have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving. Blessings!
I hope you have the nicest Thanksgiving with your loved ones coming in on wheels and wings. Thank you for your kind comments on my blog about our family separation. Love your napkin rings and salad plates. I agree with you about Mary, she is so darn creative, but then Blogland is filled with creative types such as yourself! I always enjoy visiting; your reflections on life are always fun to read. Hope you have the happiest. Joni
This is a very nice twist on thankfulness Debbie! Love your table and so glad the girls will be home soon! Have a great Thanksgiving-enjoy:@)
Debbie,
Your table is lovely, and your list of blessings lovelier yet!
Wishing you and yours a wonderfully joyous Thanksgiving!
Your table looks devine...the apples are wonderful.
Enjoy a beautiful Thanksgiving with your two sweeties....
xo bj
This Wright family is thankful for the plane also, which has carried our son to Cambodia this year to help with sex trafficking victims and just this week taken his wife and him to Europe for vacation before they become parents.
My thanks list..I got up this morning and refund money was put into my account so I can now go to the store for food for tomorrow...so no planning ahead here, just manna on the day it is needed....and this lesson has made me soooooooooooo thankful for a God who provides manna.
Happy, happy Thanksgiving...and yes, I owe you an email, the words have been played over and over again in my head...I hope to get around to it soon..love you and thanks for the prayers, and yes, we will be singing our lungs out in heaven...they all better be ready for our duet!
What a beautiful table you've set!
I am thankful for the people in my life, both the ones I see in person and those whose words I read.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Gorgeous tablescape, yes I can see the practical one with a Jaunty little hat LOL! YOur table scape is gorgeous..Love the apples. My son calls the people that live inside my computer "My imaginary friends" ...Happy Thanksgiving to you and your wonderful family! OK, I am off to iron wedding clothes....You just wait your time is coming!
Carol
Your table looks absolutely lovely! I especially like those Give Thanks plates.
What a good reminder to give thanks for the gifts He has given others. I often forget about that! As always, I leave here with something to think about.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!
What a blessing it is when we get to spend time with our kids, huh?!
Hoping that you have a wonderful day.
Debbie, I love the lesson that you brought to me today - being thankful for the gifts of others. Yes, all too often that insidious spirit of *comparison* rears its ugly head - and I am struck with gift envy. Lord, forgive me.
The potter is generous with His clay - and I must show gratitude for EVERY gift that promotes and advances HIS Kingdom!
One of the gifts I am thankful for in YOU, dear friend, is your witty sense of humor coupled with your very insightful heart. I am always inspired, encouraged, convicted, and entertained when I visit your blog.
I thank God for you!
(Note to self: If the fruit looks shiny, DO. NOT. BITE.)
Happy Thanksgiving and GOD BLESS!
Wow ... once again, you've made me do a double-take re. ALL these things I take for granted each day. Wise words, my dear.
Like the song says, "I can't remember when you weren't there ..."
...and I'm especially thankful for you!
May you and your family experience your best Thanksgiving ever (so far!).
What a wonderful and inspiring sentiment. Another thing to be thankful for,....inspiration.
Wishing you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.
Patti
I can only imagine the reunion going on there at your place right now! Have the most beautiful holiday together. I am thankful for all the talents you share with me. I thought of you while trying to purchase spray paint this week, (got your oiled bronze), all of your beautiful tables, inspiration thoughts, and you give me more smiles than anyone else in blog land! Hugs all around from the duchess to the newlyweds.
What a blessing it is to gather your dd's and hubby around the table once again. I pray blessings on your time together. Savor, as I know you will, the time together. I pray one day soon I will have my two older boys, and my dil too, sitting at my meal table catching up with each others lives and laughing about old times.
Happy Thanksgiving my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
so elegant and rich....A huge happy thanksgiving. Have a wonderful time with your family.
I am so thankful that your girls will be home today, a beautiful heartfelt and most thankful post you have written, Debbie, absolutely encouraging!
I was enjoying your thoughts so much that I didn't even stop to look at your tablescape so I had to scan back up to enjoy, beautiful as always!
Thanks for taking a blow against that spirit of unthankfulness!!! We should all start striking more blows!
May this special day be filled with many more blessings
Hugs,
Sue
Debbie, I am thankful for YOU. I always leave here feeling inspired and encouraged. I'm so glad you had your babes home for the holidays. I know there is nothing better. And, I LOVED your Sunday post (I'm cut off from babbling to you about that! LOL!)!! blessings and hugs ~ tanna
What a lovely post Debbie. I am thankful your pilgrims are coming home! I hope you all enjoy the blessings of being together. I love your Thanks dishes and napkin rings....the apples are a great touch. Happy Thanksgiving visit with the girls!
Debbie,
Being with family is one of the joys of my heart and spending Thanksgiving with both daughters and their families is a blessing beyond measure. I, too, am grateful for all who came before and the wonderful ideas they had that produced the life we live today. Love your table setting - it is lovely and I can picture you and yours around it enjoying this day together!
L,
Jean
Debbie, your table is beautiful! Love the touch with the apples. Hope your thanksgiving was wonderful!
xo
Lynn
Very well said! I've been partaking in 30 days of gratitude on my FB status updates and I can say it's quite humbling. After giving thanks about all the most important ones near and dear to my heart I found my struggling on days that were well, hectic to say the least. However, one day I found myself saying I was thankful for Ibuprophen and VERY sincerely meaning it! So glad your daughters are home as all of mine are now. I only had one home for T'Day but they are all home for the weekend. I'm working as usual now but we all get Sunday together and for that I am so thankful. Love your beautiful table. I love the purple and gold colors and especially your beaded napkin rings.
Debbie, sorry to be so late with my comments, but like you I
have been quite busy. I love that your precious treasures
will be home with you and Sir Lotsa Hair for the
Thanksgiving weekend. How much fun can you stand?!
Your table is beautiful (as always) and your reminder to be
thankful for the gifts and talents of others is well
appreciated. If we spent more time being thankful for how
someone else's ideas and inventions enhance our lives we'd
have less time to be jealous and envious of the same.
Love you dear friend!
In Godz Handz 7
Your table looks so wonderful. I love the plates. I am so thankful for so much. But first and foremost my family, their health, their love, their support. I sure am happy to have a computer too:) That is something I can't live without...and not sure if that is a good thing or not.
Hi Debbie,
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. How good your girls will be home .
I'm thankful for family and friends.
AND for the love of God in our lives.
I'm thankful for all the other tings you mention, too.
I love your Give Thanks plates.
Have a lovely day.
Barb from Australia
I am soooooo thankful that you live in my computer and that I'm blessed to call you my friend. You are an inspiration, and I'm very thankful I was so blessed to meet and get to know you through blogging.
XO,
Sheila
I know you turned off the comments for Crafting in the Shadow but I still had to leave a comment. Thank you for letting God show you that wonderful insight. I will tuck it in my heart and ponder it. I love how God sees everything and everyone. I hope as I carry on with what the Lord has given me to do I will remember this and be encouraged.
Thank you my SSiC. ((HUGS))
Blessings and ((HUGS))
In Him<><
-Mary
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