Singing with our loved ones is a great way of giving thanks to God.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

It saddens me that Black Friday has supplanted the beauty of Thanksgiving Day. Many commercials have filled the airwaves with the importance of Black Friday, but not near as many about giving thanks to God for our loved ones.

Though it has been more than two years since my mother-in-law joined the Church Triumphant, I still thank God for her. I had not celebrated Thanksgiving with her for several years before she passed away, yet I know that Thanksgiving this year will once again not be same without her at the table in Mt. Angel, Oregon.

Lillian Nickodemus

The jokes without punch lines, the songs resonating from the piano, and the expression of “glory” will be missed as always, but most of all, her presence will be missed.

Mom loved to sing

“In that wonderful day you will sing: ‘
Thank the LORD! Praise his name!
Tell the nations what he has done.
Let them know how mighty he is!'”
Isaiah 12:4 New Living Translation

Today is the day to sing. God’s mercy is greater than any electronic gadget, perfume or slippers. Mom wasn’t afraid to let people see her heart of thankfulness to the Lord for his mercy. She wasn’t afraid to sing.

She wasn’t afraid to sing ABOUT her Savior.

She wasn’t afraid to sing TO her Savior.

As you gather with family and friends today, don’t take them for granted, nor simply mention them in a prayer. Listen to them. Laugh with them. You might even sing with them.  In short, be present with them. This is our song of praise to God.

A blessed Thanksgiving to all!

Copyright Douglas P Brauner