[Please join me in praying for children, families, and our future on Thursdays this year.]
Happy Thanksgiving!
“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:10 ESV)
One of the traditions I loved when my children were picture-book age was reading sweet holiday stories to them. Last year I wrote several posts about my favorite Christmas books, but there are some lovely Thanksgiving books, too. Whether you are a child, have children in your life, or were once a child, I invite you to read these books and see what God whispers into your spirit.
Wende & Harry Devlin wrote a series of holiday-themed books set in a New England town. Their quaint drawings delightfully support sweet stories about a girl named Maggie who lives with her grandmother, and neighbor Mr. Whiskers always plays prominently in the stories, too. “Cranberry Thanksgiving,” published in 1971, tells the story of two lonely gentlemen invited to Thanksgiving dinner with these ladies – and what happens when one tries to steal Grandma’s prize winning cranberry bread recipe. This book reminds us to not judge others by their outside appearance, because their hearts may not live up to the shiny shoes or perfect clothes. (See below for link to the story as a read aloud.)
My second Thanksgiving picture book is “The Thanksgiving Story” by Alice Dalgliesh.
This is a retelling of the historical story of the first Thanksgiving by three Puritan children who were on the Mayflower. Written in 1954, it avoids the political correctness of some more recent books, and focuses on the events through the eyes of children, including baby Oceanus who was born on the voyage. “The Thanksgiving Story” reminds us how hard the Puritans worked to build a settlement where they could worship God freely. It reminds us of the tremendous difficulties they faced to build homes, find food, and fight cold, disease, and death. It reminds us that without the natives’ help, the Puritans would have died from starvation. It reminds us that we are called to love, bless, and help each other. And it reminds us that all people have capacity for goodness and kindness.
Today as we celebrate Thanksgiving with families and friends, let us point children toward meaningful and true stories of Thanksgiving, encouraging them (and us!) to remember our history, God’s teachings, and to be good and kind.
God,
We praise you for your many good deeds, for the many ways in which your kindness has been poured out upon our lives. Thank you for your compassion on us and for our Savior. Thank you for placing within us a desire for freedom from sin and a desire for new life in Christ. Thank you for this Thanksgiving Day where we can give you the thanks you deserve for all the gifts and blessings we have. Today as families and friends gather together, we pray they will remember the true stories of our history and share them – good and bad – with the upcoming generations. Help us remember that you know our hearts, and we should not judge according to outward appearances, but according to the heart of a person. Help us be kind and loving, as you are kind and loving. Holy Spirit, raise up thankfulness within us for all you have provided for us and done in us, we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'” (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV)
“And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15 ESV)
“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:24 ESV)
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)
“I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord,
the deeds for which he is to be praised,
according to all the Lord has done for us—
yes, the many good things
he has done for Israel,
according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
He said, “Surely they are my people,
children who will be true to me”;
and so he became their Savior.” (Isaiah 63:7-8 NIV)
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26 ESV)