I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week! A lot has happened in my life since our last Thanksgiving; I have much to be thankful for.

Mark and I have started to plan our menu—from appetizers to dessert. And our goal is to make this a memorable occasion for our family to enjoy. With Phillip living in Bakersfield, and everyone’s hectic life, it’s difficult to get the entire family together. Maybe that’s why Thanksgiving is such an important holiday for Americans. It gives us an excuse to be extravagant with our fellowship and meal.

Sometimes family celebrations can be stressful. Especially if we’re preparing the meal. But this year I plan to enjoy the moment. I want to give our family the best, but I don’t want to be so busy that I don’t appreciate everyone’s company or THANKFUL for each and every moment on this day.

As I sat down to write, I remembered Psalm 23 (one of my favorites in the Bible). Did you know that God is preparing a table for us? In verses 5-6 it says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine God’s table before you. I imagine huge candelabras with real wax candles, gold plates, silver goblets, platters of delicacies, and fine wine x 100. This is God’s table, and he never does anything less than “over the top.”

So, as I celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to thank God for giving me my family and friends. I want to thank God for giving me my home and possessions. But most of all I want to remember that God gave us Jesus so that we could dwell in God’s house forever.

I hope you all have the best Thanksgiving ever! Enjoy your family and friends and take a moment to savor the holiday.