Thanksgiving Day Challenge: Hold Your Tongue!!!



Thanksgiving Checklist:

Baked pies (or bought them at Eat N Park). Check.
Made the side dish, Check.

Now you are getting ready to head out the door to the family Thanksgiving.
Do you dread getting together with your family?

I wouldn't say I exactly dread interactions with my extended family.  I am leery of going, however.  You never know when a relative will say something completely inappropriate, awkward, or just plain rude.  You may be anticipating family friction or an encounter with someone who has a grudge against you. And of course there is always the possibility of being judged.

So, Thanksgiving isn't so much about food...it's about survival.  Instincts.  When to respond and when not to.  Who is safe to talk to and who to avoid.

Why is it like this?  Why can't it be simple like the Peanuts gang singing, "Over the River and Through the Woods?"  Then enjoying a turkey dinner and pie, and going home happy?

I think the family friction is the effect of...well, I don't really know.  I've been thinking about this for days and I can't give you a good answer.  If you figure it out, please enlighten me!

What I do know is that Thanksgiving can be made better if we mentally prepare ourselves before we go.
We can pray for God's help, his strength, his wisdom, his peace and PATIENCE.  Lots of patience.  And self-control.

We can remember some helpful things from Scripture.

I love this translation:


"Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!" (Proverbs 10:19 NLT) 


"The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl." 
(Proverbs 25:11)


So here's your Thanksgiving Day Challenge:

Hold your tongue when you'd rather lash out
Speak kind words to those who are typically combative
Spend time with the elderly members of your family.  Just sit beside them and be good company.
You can do it!  

You will be so much happier when you leave.
Instead of popping Tums or Advil,
You can mentally congratulate yourself for being calm, cool, and collected.

Chalk one up for self-control.  You'll have earned yourself a piece of pie!

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you,
 O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!" 
Psalm 19:14

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