Everyone desires to enjoy life. We seek to experience life with joy, striving to take in as much pleasure and/or satisfaction as we are able each day.
Peter, in writing to God’s chosen people, and to all of us, states:
“If you want to enjoy life and seem many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”
(1 Peter 3:10-11, NLT)
Thanksgiving can be a time of blessing, or a time of stress, as families will gather around tables to enjoy a meal together. There is wisdom in these verses which can be applied to our day.
Do you want to enjoy and have a happy day? Perhaps we need to embrace Peter’s four suggestions:
- Keep your tongue.
- Turn away from any hurtful conversation.
- Do good.
- Search for peace and maintain it.
My mom used to sing to us as children, grandchildren, and has continued to do so with now great-grandchildren. I remember well the sound of my mom’s voice, singing a simple song to my granddaughter, Jocelyn, when she was three years old.
“If you want to be happy. If you want to be glad. Then obey, obey, obey.”
Peter gives us four suggestions. Mom kind of narrowed it down to one easy suggestion – obedience. As we gather around our tables, may these suggestions stay in the forefront of our minds. As we do, our tables will be a place of peace, of hope, of love, and of encouragement.
As we obey these few simple suggestions,
may we all enjoy a most blessed Thanksgiving Day!
Our tables are the place where we gather and eat. But they can be so much more. In this beautiful post, “Healing Through Thanksgiving” HERE, Kristen Neighbarger shares the story of her family’s gathering. May peace and healing and much love flow around all our tables!
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Cameron Roberson on Unsplash
** This is an edited post which first appeared HERE.
That is a verse I quoted to myself often these past few years. When the world was screaming “No justice no peace” I was saying “Search for peace, and work to maintain it”. And now, when the world seems to be on the brink of WWIII I’m saying it even louder and stronger. Anyway, I love your mom’s tips. Great to think about before Thanksgiving.
Joanne! Let me first say I love your website makeover! Everything looks fabulous, including you!
Secondly, what great advice for us not only for Thanksgiving gatherings, but for every day. God was speaking to me about this very topic earlier this week. How obedience changes and deepens our relationship with God and others!
Happy and Blessed thanksgiving my Dear Friend!!
Joanne, I love the new look of your site. I, especially, enjoyed reading your “about me” page. The passage from Habakkuk is one of my favorites. And what great thoughts about Thanksgiving and all that’s going on in the world right now. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving, Joanna! And the song your mother sang made me chuckle. It’s simplicity packs a punch though. We are peaceful in our minds, hearts, and souls when we obey the boundaries God has set for us.
Wow, these four things would go a long way in making for peaceful interactions. Love the new look of your site! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Great verse and song. Now, to live them.
I also love the look of your site! Beautiful! Thank you for this reminder to keep things simple and stress-free by following Paul’s suggestions. Blessings to you, Joanne! xo
Joanne, I’m not surprised to hear your mother sang to you. You always share some beautiful song with us. Happy Thanksgiving!
Wise words! May we speak words of kindness.
Love your updated look!
Love your new look website Joanne! And what a lovely post, I loved the part about your Mum.
Blessings swet friend,
Jennifer
Happiest Thanksgiving!!
I am thankful for the way you hostess us each week!
Psalm 37:1-11 is what I’m thinking of after reading your post. A good way to live each day.
Music is a big part of my background too—and it sure looks like you have reworked the look of your lovely site! So nice!