Feasting on Gratitude
The Musings of Augustus Merriweather
My dear friends and cherished readers,
There’s a peculiar beauty to late November, don’t you think? The air carries a briskness that seems to awaken the soul, and the earth dons its golden and auburn hues like a gentleman slipping into his Sunday best. Thanksgiving, that most uniquely American of holidays, is upon us - a time for feasting, laughter, and most importantly, gratitude.
This year, as Savannah and I prepare our home to welcome children, grandchildren, and friends to the Merriweather table, I find my heart drawn to the deeper rhythms of Thanksgiving: the gratitude that undergirds the gathering, the traditions that bind us, and the Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).
🦃 The Merriweather Thanksgiving Table
Our family Thanksgiving tradition begins well before the table is set. Savannah, with her characteristic warmth, starts baking pecan and pumpkin pies days in advance, her laughter filling the kitchen as she shoos me away from sampling the fillings. Meanwhile, our youngest, still at home for his senior year, helps me gather firewood for the hearth.
As guests arrive, the aroma of roasted turkey mingles with cinnamon and nutmeg, and the house hums with conversation. Before the meal, we follow a tradition that I hold dear: we pause to share our thanks aloud. Each family member and guest takes a moment to reflect on a blessing from the past year.
This practice, though simple, is profoundly moving. It reminds me of the apostle Paul’s words: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). Gratitude, after all, is a balm for the weary soul - it shifts our focus from what we lack to what we’ve received, grounding us in the abundance of God’s grace.
🍂 Thanksgiving and the Art of Gratitude
I often ponder why Thanksgiving holds such a special place in my heart. Perhaps it’s because gratitude is, in many ways, the gateway to contentment. As G.K. Chesterton so wisely observed, “Thanks are the highest form of thought, and gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
In a culture that prizes accumulation and ambition, Thanksgiving is a gentle reminder to pause and reflect, to take stock of the ordinary moments that are, in fact, extraordinary gifts:
The crackle of the fireplace.
The embrace of a loved one.
The joy of shared laughter over a too-dry turkey or an over-sweetened pie (and yes, we’ve had both at the Merriweather table!).
Gratitude teaches us to savor life as it is, not as we wish it to be. It’s a discipline that, much like prayer, draws us nearer to the heart of God.
🕊️ Blessings Beyond the Table
Of course, Thanksgiving isn’t just about the feast (though I’ll confess a deep affection for Savannah’s sweet potato casserole). It’s also about cultivating a spirit of gratitude that endures long after the dishes are washed and the football game is over.
This year, as I bow my head at the table, I’ll give thanks not only for the blessings I can see but also for those yet unseen. The great hymnwriter Isaac Watts captured this sentiment beautifully:
“When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”
Even in seasons of difficulty - and our family has known its share - Thanksgiving calls us to trust in God’s providence. It reminds us that gratitude is not dependent on our circumstances but on the unchanging goodness of our Creator.
📜 Action Steps for a Grateful Thanksgiving
If I may, allow me to suggest a few ways to deepen the spirit of gratitude this holiday season:
📖 Each day, write down three things you’re thankful for. They can be as simple as the morning sunlight or as profound as the gift of salvation.
🤝 Consider extending an invitation to someone who may be alone this Thanksgiving, or find a way to bless a neighbor in need. Gratitude, when shared, has a way of multiplying.
🕯️ Take a moment as a family to share what you’re thankful for. This small tradition has a way of turning the meal into a holy moment of reflection.
✨Gratitude as a Way of Life
Thanksgiving is, in many ways, a rehearsal for eternity. One day, we will gather around a far greater table, joining saints and angels in unending praise to the Lamb who was slain. Until that day, let us practice gratitude here and now, recognizing that every good meal, every warm embrace, every note of laughter, is but a foretaste of the glory to come.
Thank you, dear reader, for allowing me to share these reflections with you. May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, peace, and the quiet assurance that you are deeply loved by the One who holds all your days in his hands.
Yours in thanksgiving and grace,
Augustus B. Merriweather III
P.S. Don’t tell Savannah, but I’ve already sneaked a slice of her pecan pie. Gratitude, as you see, is best practiced early and often. 😉
If this post has encouraged you, I’d be delighted if you’d share it with others. And as always, I invite you to send me your thoughts or questions - I love hearing from you.