Don’t you love those little snafus that crop up just when things seem to be running smoothly? They add spice to your life and provide you with opportunities to grow in patience, whether you want to or not!
Just when I was getting ready to enjoy Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday of the year, my oven broke. I’ll have to wait until the repairman’s visit on Wednesday to find out if I’m going to be able to use it to bake turkey, dressing, dinner rolls, and 4 pies for 20 people on Thursday.
I’d love to say that I kept praising the Lord and giving thanks last night when I realized that the darned oven was not heating up. But the truth is, I almost blew a gasket.
But you know what? Whether that oven works or not, I’m not going to let it rob me of gratitude and spoil my Thanksgiving. Today I thought of several people I know who will be halfheartedly celebrating the holidays this year after losing a loved one. God gave me a new perspective.
I can’t let a little thing like a broken oven stop me from giving thanks to the One who loved me enough to give His life for me. A broken oven cannot take anything away from the blessings God has already given me.
So whether we eat roasted turkey and dressing, or cold cuts and sandwiches, I’m going to breathe deep and keep singing this old hymn to myself:
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
Happy Thanksgiving to you. Whether you’re enjoying a blessed season of peace, struggling with stress, or grieving loss, may the Lord surround you with His presence and open your eyes to His gifts.
I’d love to hear from you: What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition or holiday food? Are you facing any challenges that threaten to rob you of joy and gratitude?
To enjoy time with family and friends, I will take a blogging break until Tuesday, December 2nd.
Linking up with Holly Barrett’s Testimony Tuesday and Meredith Bernard’s Woman2Woman Wednesday today.
Favorite Thanksgiving tradition is setting the table with the “pretty” stuff! I love your pictures – I can see all the pretty china in them. So welcoming! One of our favorite foods at Thanksgiving is a Cajun turkey roll – de-bned turkey stuffed with onions and peppers, rolled and baked! Yum! Have a blessed Thanksgiving Betsy! Enjoy your time off!
Oh, I love a pretty table too, Ellen. Cajun turkey roll sounds delicious.
Deep breathing and singing…a beautiful response to all the little challenges life throws at us. Thanks for your post! It blessed me.
Thanks for stopping by, Renee. Blessings to you and a happy Thanksgiving.
Bets, hope the oven can be brought back to life! Thanks to good friends with whom we shared many a Thanksgiving, we used to have 2 dried kernels of corn set at every place. Then before we feasted, every one, young and old , would share 2 things they we’re thankful for from the year. I love Thanksgiving, perhaps because we’ve lived so far from family for many years and makes you appreciate people you miss all the more. And my eldest is a Thanksgiving baby as well as my dear husband. But despite so many reasons to give God thanks, I too find the little foxes (my sin) that can threaten to spoil the mood. Thankful for you, my friend!
I’m with you, Julie, I’m kicking those little foxes out! As it turns out, my oven will not be working for Thanksgiving. Not sure how things will work out, but something will come together! I had heard about the dried kernels of corn years ago, but haven’t thought of that in forever. Thanks for the reminder.
Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry to hear about your oven. I love your heart towards God. Yes Thanksgiving is a great time to give God thanks with friends and family. There are some tough things going on in my life and giving thanks is helping me get through. Thanks for posting and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Praise God that He’s helping you get through, Lisa. Blessings on your Thanksgiving, tough things and all! Let’s keep our chins up. 🙂
I have to say Betsy I love your title to this post!!! Smiles sent your way!!!!
Betsy,
I don’t know if there is a specific prayer for ovens? But, know I am praying that you will be back in business today. Thank you for a wonderful reminder that a turkey does not Thanksgiving make. We can have a heart of gratitude even if it’s over pb&j. Wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving!
Bev xx
Thanks Bev! Actually my oven is NOT going to be working, but I went to a friend’s today to bake, and tomorrow a neighbor will help me out! Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving too with your family.
I love your attitude, Betsy! I would have reacted the same way, and then there’s the Spirit gently drawing me back to Himself, reminding me to be thankful in all things. What a great post!
Thank you for this encouraging and well-crafted post. And about your oven… (sorry), isn’t that the essence of Thanksgiving; being grateful for the Gift Giver – no matter what the gift looks like? Great reminders for a girl from St. Louis. So much brokenness – but still called to give thanks in all things. Peace to you and yours~
I hope you’ll have a wonderful Thanksgiving in St. Louis. Giving thanks in all things. Thanks for coming by today and commenting!
Great thoughts! Happy Thanksgiving!
You too, Sarah!
Such great perspective, Betsy! In the midst of a joy-robber you found and chose joy. We pray for patience and God gives us these sweet little opportunities to exercise it. Thank you for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Tiffany. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
My oven is very near its end. A couple of years ago I lost ALL of my fruitcakes during their baking … it was not a happy day and I was not a happy woman. Thankfully, my husband repaired it … and it is still working. So my heart feels for you. I love your happy attitude and how God has provided for your baking needs! Thanks for the encouragement!!
Ouch! Losing fruitcakes! Yesterday Dianne, I kind of burned (or shall we say CARMELIZED) our streusal topped apple pies since I was using a friend’s oven. I wasn’t familiar with it. But looking on the bright side, we’ll DEFINITELY need vanilla ice cream not to rescue them! 🙂
I love that hymn :). And the best of luck to you in your culinary adventures–I’ve heard you can fix turkey in a crock pot :). It will all work out!
Yes, Anita, it’s ALL WORKING OUT! 🙂 I hope you have an enjoyable Thanksgiving!
Good for you not letting a bump in the road ruin your Thanksgiving! I somehow got out of hosting for another year this year, but I have a feeling next year may be my time! 😉 Looking forward to it though. I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend filled with love. Thanks for sharing your heart here.
It ended up being a more relaxing Thanksgiving than usual, Abby, because I wasn’t too worried about food. (I figured whatever wasn’t good, people would realize I had no oven! 🙂 ) I hope you had a good holiday weekend too.