Countdown to Thanksgiving

By Debby Giusti

I started buying Advent calendars for my kids years ago when we lived in Germany. Since then, the calendars have become popular in the U.S., and I always get them for my grandchildren before Advent begins. The little ones love the chocolate candy “surprise” as they count down to Christmas.

By the way, have you checked out the stores recently? They’re overflowing with Christmas items to buy, everything from Jolly St. Nicks to Christmas trees and evergreen wreaths. But what about Thanksgiving?

I’ve never seen a calendar that counts down to Turkey Day. In fact, Thanksgiving knick-knacks and decorations—think Pilgrims, Indian corn and cornucopias filled with the bounty of Mother Nature—are few and far between. Any Thanksgiving items on store shelves are squeezed between Halloween and the Christmas season that starts earlier and earlier. This year, in my part of the world, Santas and snowmen were on the shelves and ready for purchase by mid-October.

You’ve got to admit Turkey Day gets short shrift, yet I love Thanksgiving. What’s not to like about gathering family and friends around a table heaped with food. Being together with loved ones is central to the celebration, but the most important aspect is giving thanks. Remember the story in scripture about the ten lepers Jesus cured? Luke 7:11-19 reminds us that only one leper came back to offer thanks. The Biblical account underscores the importance of gratitude so this year I’ve created my own Countdown to Thanksgiving.

Day 1 – November 20

Today, I’m giving thanks for this wonderful blog community, for my Seeker sisters, and for all of you, dear ones, who join us on this writing and reading journey. I treasure your friendship and your support, and I ask the Lord to bless each of you and shower you with love.

Day 2 – November 21

As we read in the Book of Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything— a time to be born and a time to die. I give thanks for the gift of my life and for the gift of my parents, both of whom have gone home to the Lord. I’m grateful for their love and nurturing, for their wise counsel and guidance, for the part of them that lives on in me. I also give thanks for family members—yours and mine—who have transitioned from this life to the next. I ask God’s blessings on our dearly departed and await the joyous day when all of us can be reunited with them once again.

Day 3 – November 22

On this day, I give thanks for my health and the health of my family, for strength, for right judgment and a formed conscience. I pray for the chronically ill, for those who battle pain, debilitation and mental anguish, and I beseech the Lord to bring healing, comfort and peace to all our infirmed brothers and sisters in Christ.

Day 4 – November 23

God comes first; family is a close second. I give thanks for my wonderful husband, for our children, their spouses and for our precious grandchildren. They bring joy to my heart. This day, I pray for my loved ones and for yours. Guard them all, Lord, and keep them in your care.

Day 5 – November 24

I give thanks for the United States of America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. My heart overflows with love for this great nation that stretches from sea to shining sea, for her people, for her beauty, her diversity, her resources, her abundance of goodness and grace. God bless the USA.

Day 6 – November 25

Our military deserve thanks, each and every day. They give selflessly, sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice, so this nation will endure and so liberty and freedom will ring not only here but throughout the world. Lord, protect our military heroes at home and abroad.

  

Day 7 – November 26

This day, I give thanks for readers—for their reviews, their kind posts on social media, their sweet notes that come in the mail, and their words of encouragement when we meet in person. Each comment is treasured and appreciated as is each and every person who opens one of my books. I hope those of you, dear friends, who have read my stories can feel my prayers and my love. As an aside, I just checked my sales numbers and the tally added up to more than One Million Books in Print. Any success of mine is because of readers and friends like all of you who fill my heart to overflowing!

Day 8 – November 27

I give thanks to God who guides me along the right path, who forgives my shortcomings, who loves me in spite of my flaws and who wants only the best for me and for those I hold dear, which includes YOU. God is good all the time, and I am grateful.

My Countdown to Thanksgiving brings me to November 28th. On this day, I wish you abundant blessings and much love!

Share your own Countdown to Thanksgiving and all that fills you with gratitude. Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for my November Love Inspired Suspense, HER FORGOTTEN AMISH PAST!

Happy Writing! Happy Reading! Happy Thanksgiving!

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

HER FORGOTTEN AMISH PAST

By Debby Giusti

She can’t remember who she’s running from.

Is she safe with the Amish?

Someone wants Becca Troyer dead, but who or why is a mystery to her. Seeking refuge at the home of Amish farmer Zeke Hochstetler is her only hope to stay one step ahead of the killer. With every clue she finds about her past leading to more confusion, Becca and Zeke must untangle the truth before her pursuer discovers where she’s been hiding.

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