As Thanksgiving draws near, we’re reminded that gratitude isn’t just a feeling—it’s a posture of the heart. Whether we’re walking through seasons of abundance or longing, God’s presence remains our constant. This is a time to pause, reflect, and recognize the quiet ways He’s been faithful. Even in the waiting, there is reason to give thanks. 

From stories of surrender to reflections on joy and spiritual renewal, each title offers a pathway to deeper trust in God. This Thanksgiving, we invite you to explore books that help you think differently, live more intentionally, and embrace joy that lasts. May your heart be lifted and your spirit renewed as you discover the beauty of God’s provision. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us.

The Homemade Pie Cookbook

With tasty recipes, gorgeous photos, and clear instructions that take you step-by-step through the entire process of baking the perfect pie, The Homemade Pie Cookbook will convince you that you can bake the pies you grew up loving–as well as many more you always wanted to try.

Maybe best of all–every recipe has a photo.

Prayer Journal for Women

An elegant, keepsake-quality journal perfect for your daily quiet time notebook for you to record and remember your prayers and conversations with God.

The holidays can be very hectic and overwhelming. But holiday success is within reach if you focus on the right things.

It’s the holiday season and my Instagram algorithm has been showing me Thanksgiving tablescapes and Christmas mantles since late September. Have you noticed this, too?

The algorithm knows me well because I absolutely love all things holiday-related: exploring the woods to gather greens, planning special tea parties, hosting crafting nights with friends, decorating sugar cookies, enjoying candlelight strolls, Christmas shopping—you name it, I adore it.

However, before I dive into this wonderful season, I’ve learned that it’s wise for me to plan how I will celebrate and prepare for the upcoming festivities. This isn’t just about making a list and checking it twice to ensure everything is Pinterest-perfect. I mean proactively planning how I will conduct myself as a Christian woman who wants to bring glory to God. 

When energy is low and expectations are high, when a jam-packed schedule leaves me with too much sugar and not enough sleep, I need to determine how I will respond. The last thing I want to do is to sin against my family or my God.

Giving thanks might not change our circumstances, but it can sure change our perspective. And that right there can make all the difference in the world!

I don’t remember exactly when it started, or even why.

But I got into the habit of making up these games when I was a young girl.

Well, they weren’t really “games” but that’s what I called them and it was my way of encouraging myself to do what was right…even when I didn’t necessarily feel like it.

And for some reason, it kind of worked.

Not always, but often.

The Wonderful Game of Giving Thanks

When I was a waitress, it was the Serve-the-Customer-Cheerfully Game.

I was determined to be pleasant to my customers, no matter how rude he or she was to me. It was a game I could always “win” because it solely depended on me doing my part.  Not only did I win, but I frequently won over even the toughest of customers.

When I was a tired mom with small children, I played the Greet-Your-Child-With-A-Warm-Smile game.

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and I’m still feeling a little blindsided by that fact.

I find myself reacting like this every year. The days and weeks seem to pile on top of each other so quickly and my head is left spinning a little! I can’t be the only mother who feels this way, right?

I want this short stretch of the year to just stop and slow down a little bit so that I can fully enjoy it without feeling bogged down by the many to-do lists I make for myself!

Speaking of lists…we’re hosting Thanksgiving this year in our home, and I haven’t even made a list of what we’re preparing or what I would like others to bring!

I’m not going to worry (well, try not to at least) about all of the preparations, about the menu planning, about what time everyone should show up…and most importantly, what I’m going to wear!

Just kidding! Well, kind of…

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thess. 5:18

The Thanksgiving holiday is approaching and I am sure many of us are already making lists, sketching out our menus, and creating a plan of attack for all of the cleaning we need to do. Those who are crafty put together Thanksgiving trees and other fun crafts, while others of us scour Pinterest to see what kind of Thanksgiving table decor we can copy and some simply keep a thanksgiving journal. For the Thorns, Thanksgiving also means family reunion.

But wouldn’t it be great if we put this much effort into cultivation a life of thanksgiving that goes beyond just the month of November? J.R. Miller said that,

“Christian thanksgiving is the life of Christ in the heart, transforming the disposition and the whole character.”

A thankful life will change who we are, and how we think about what we have, and all that we experience. The more we cultivate a thankful heart the more our heart will begin to beat like the heart of Jesus.

Want to make this the best Thanksgiving ever?

Me too! And I’ve picked up on a number of tips that make a big difference in celebrating that day and I’d love to share them with you.

But before I get there, I feel you should know a few things.

About Thanksgiving.

And me.

You should probably know that I’ve experienced some very disastrous Thanksgiving celebrations. 

As in really, really bad ones.

Like my first year as a new bride and I tried to serve our guests from Ethiopia “an authentic American Thanksgiving.”

Who happened to be Orthodox Christians.

Who can’t eat turkey (not kosher). Or green beans (made with bacon). But who graciously enjoyed what side dishes they could.

I felt simply terrible. 

We ate a lot of mashed potatoes that year. 

Or like the year when all our guests starting arriving and I did a last minute check on the turkey in the oven. Only to find that my oven had decided to quit that day (oh, why?