Furiously, she has cooked and cleaned. Each child has been properly bathed and attired. Every inch of the household is under scrutiny, as she clutches her Norman Rockwell dream.
But is Mommy thankful?
Oh sure, she SAYS she is thankful. She offers the customary smiles and verbiage that to the world look like true thanksgiving, but the Lord sees her heart. He sees how she has set up idols in her life. Idols that look like well-groomed children and perfect pies. He sees how she is only one overcooked turkey away from a screaming, crying, ranting mess. He sees how what she is really thankful for is that everything and everyone is behaving just as she planned. That isn’t thanksgiving. That is fear.
No, it doesn’t look a thing like the usual fear. This is fear wrapped tightly in the shrink wrap of one little word: Control.
Mommy wants everything to be perfect, just like that Norman Rockwell moment. She frets and stews all week about each dish she will be creating, fearful something will go terribly wrong and the whole day will be ruined…a jumbled Picasso-esque mess. In her mind perfection looms large. There is no room for thanksgiving here. Whether she cares to admit it or not, this day is about HER. Her food, her appearance, her vision of the perfect Thanksgiving Day. If something goes wrong, the Day will fail too.
I pray this is not your Thanksgiving Day. I pray you have unclenched that tight fist of control and found true thanksgiving; thanksgiving no burnt turkey and muddy child can ruin.
Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!
1 Chronicles 16:8
Remember Who you are thanking. Remember why you are thanking Him. Put aside the control and fear and perfection. Rest in His abundance and bounty. Glorify His name with your attitude from the inside out! And have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Christine says
This is quite beautiful, Amy! I don’t have anyone coming over–just the four littles and hubby and me, but I know this feeling about Thanksgiving. We all do. Thank you!
Erin says
This is perfect. Too many women fall into the trap of perfection! Thank you for sharing.
Amanda says
Oh, thank you for posting this! This is just want I needed. This is my first Thanksgiving with everyone over to my house, and I know I could easily fall into that! So with this, I’m going to pray and try really hard I just go with the flow and enjoy the holiday and God’s grace!!! Thank you!
Fruitful Harvest says
Happy Thanksgiving Amy!
We already had our turkey (last Saturday)as we WERE to travel to Canada to visit my favorite Uncle!
The leftover are gone too.
The snow here has shut the roads down,its to dangerous to travel.
We will be having ham and mac and cheese.
Then playing in the snow!
Your post was well written as always! So true too.
Thanksgiving morning we go to Mass (church) to give God thanks and praise!
Then the girls and I cook cook cook!
So fun to be in the kitchen with my girls! (boys are welcome,but they would rather play).
Peace,Love and Joy,
Georgiann
Mistee says
Boy did I need that today. Thank you! The Lord already started convicting me of this attitude-in-coming yesterday. You’ve helped me look at it again during preparation day. Thanks Amy. 🙂
Marisol says
So true sister!
Thank you for the reminder … may the Lord be glorified in everything even the over cooked turkey and undercooked pies!!
We are together as a family and Christ is our foundation … what could we be MORE thankful for!!
Stephanie says
I agree, what a perfect reminder that things do not need to be perfect! A very Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Amy!
The Pauper @ apauper.com says
As one who struggles with wanting everything “perfect” your post really hit home. When the focus is on the event or the things instead of on Jesus who is the Christ, the one worthy of all gratitude, our day can be ruined by the smallest things.
My favorite line: “He sees how she has set up idols in her life. Idols that look like well-groomed children and perfect pies.”
May we be humble enough to join Jesus in the painful work of tearing down our idols and every lofty thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
Candy says
Thank you for sharing these thoughts. I look forward to thanksgiving and am very thankful that I am able to do the cooking for our family. However, I do have a control issue when it comes to the dinner! 🙁 I will have to keep all that you said in mind this year. Reminding myself it is not about my plans, but the plans of God and being thankful for what He has given!
julianne says
great insight! Women are too often obsessed with control! Relaxing and enjoying the moments, non perfect and all, there is beauty to behold.
Grateful for Grace says
Beautiful post. Truly.
Donna says
A great post Amy, very thought provoking! We dont have thanksgiving over here in Australia, but your post made me think a lot on the idols Ive set up in my life of clean house clean children etc.
Thanks!!!
Luv Donna