Slow and steady wins the race, right? What are we racing towards?
Thanksgiving!
Yes, it’s true. Five weeks from tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day! (Didn’t we just celebrate Labor Day?!) Well, maybe so, but it’s true – we have five weeks to plan and prepare for this special holiday! That may sound like a lot of time, but considering how much there is to do if you’re hosting, the weeks will fly by! If you want to enjoy, rather than endure the holiday, planning and working ahead of time is your best friend!
I’ll be hosting this year, so I am trying to get my ducks turkeys in a row! No, I don’t have an outside job, but my life stays very busy. It would be easy to push things back and let the holiday slip up on me, but I am praying that the Lord will give me wisdom to prepare in such a way that I will be able to smile and embrace the day and each of my guests when Thanksgiving arrives!
So, what am I doing? Well, first of all, I’m doing what works best for me, and that’s making lists! I am using my phone for some jobs that need attention before my guests arrive. Here’s a peek at the list I’m adding to each day…
I made that on “Reminders.” I like having that on my phone, because if I’m out and I need to remember what I needed to buy for the table, it’s right there at my fingertips. I will make a detailed list of the menu and food prep in my Happy Planner.
It’s amazing what tasks can be accomplished in short spans of time! Yesterday when I had 15 minutes while supper was finishing in the oven, I grabbed my large tablecloth and got my Thanksgiving Tablecloth ironed!
When I was finished, I hung it on a hanger and hung it in the front closet.
That’s one task completed!
Little time spans are useful to accomplish small tasks. Look for those five or ten minute windows when you’re on hold on the phone, when you’re ready to leave for work or church but have a few minutes to spare. Look for ways to use those minutes wisely so you can smile when Thanksgiving arrives, rather than panic!
This week I read in Luke 10 about Mary and Martha and was reminded that I often get my priorities out of whack when I’m having guests over. I am asking the Lord for a worshipful heart like Mary. If some things on my list don’t get accomplished, I don’t want to be in a flurry. I want to be fervent instead – fervent in pointing my family and guests to the Lord, Who so graciously blesses us every single day with an abundance of reasons to celebrate this day…with a smile.
Will you be hosting Thanksgiving this year? What are you doing now to prepare ahead?
If you’re going to be a guest, why not ask your hostess what you can do for her even now?
Refresh Thanksgiving by making early preparations!
RefreshHer 
Denise, I was thinking yesterday that I should make the pie crust and cook down the pumpkin to freeze. Those are two things I usually do well ahead of time. Our kids (fully grown adults) are both excellent cooks, and one is a trained chef, so my Thanksgiving responsibilities in recent years aren’t as expansive. This is my first Thanksgiving with two brand new ovens, so I expect everything to be easier. I’m truly blessed, and I also love the Mary and Martha reminder!
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Wow! Sounds like you’ve got all the bases covered! How fun that you have two ovens…and good help with the preparations! We do have so much to be thankful for!
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I can’t wait! ❤
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I’d love a peek at your Thankgiving day schedule–especially how far apart to plan dinner and dessert. 🙂
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I’m sorry I haven’t responded sooner! I’ll post my Thanksgiving Day schedule soon. My family usually has dessert not long after our meal. It’s too hard to resist since we make all our favorites!
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