How to Prepare a Thankful Heart before the Turkey Hits the Table - Your Nightly Prayer - November 26th

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How to Prepare a Thankful Heart before the Turkey Hits the Table 
Your Nightly Prayer
By Tracie Miles

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

SOMETHING TO PONDER

I used to stare at my green carpet with hatred.

My former husband and I had built our house in the early nineties, and for those who recall the decor trends of that decade, bright, jewel colors were the thing. I had emerald green carpet everywhere and was sure I deserved an interior decorating award.

But years later, as my children grew and wanted different colors, I quickly grew to despise that green carpet. I complained relentlessly about wanting to replace it with something neutral or hardwood floors. It had become a thorn in my side and a daily source of irritation.

That is … until I visited the home of a sweet little girl named Gabriella who lived in a small mountain town in Ecuador.

She and her ten family members all lived in a four-room dwelling made of concrete blocks, plastic ceilings, and a dusty dirt floor. One light bulb dangled from the ceiling. The "beds" were simply hard frames with blankets—no mattresses. As far as clean water, I never saw any.

The family cooked every meal over a small fire pit in a deep hole dug in the dirt floor. As they happily cooked for us, thick hot smoke filled the home so intensely that my eyes burned and watered.

The children's feet showed skin of tough leather—an obvious sign that no shoes had ever covered them. Their sunburned faces, dirty noses, and ripped clothing told a story of a lifetime of poverty and desperation.

But their hearts and faces showed the light of Jesus. They were thankful for what God had given them.

The mother was beaming with pride, excited to show us her home and teach us how to make tortillas. She explained through our interpreter that her husband had left her and her brother had died, so there were no men to help provide for her large family.

She explained how God had immensely blessed them with this new "home." Their previous dwelling had caved in, rendering them homeless—until Gabriella's child sponsor sent $400, which allowed them to build this residence and purchase a sewing machine to make clothes to sell.

I held a precious two-month-old baby boy who did not have a name, because in their culture, they are never sure if a baby will survive in those conditions. That reality pierced my heart with such sadness.

But their hearts and faces showed the light of Jesus. They were thankful for what God had given them.

Not once did I see the mother lose her beaming smile. Not once did I see the children whining or fighting. Not once did I hear anyone complain about what they wished they had—and certainly not about anything petty, like the color of carpet (or lack thereof).

Psalm 100:4 reminds us that gratitude is the proper posture for approaching God—not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day. True thanksgiving isn't about the turkey or the trimmings; it's about acknowledging God's goodness and faithfulness.

Before the turkey hits the table, take a few moments to prepare your heart with this spiritual checklist:

Acknowledge God's Presence
Invite God into your Thanksgiving celebration before it begins. Ask Him to give you eyes to see His blessings.

List Five "Unseen" Blessings
What about the blessings you overlook? Clean running water. A warm home. A bed to sleep in. The ability to read. Freedom to worship.

Release Expectations
The turkey might be dry. A family member might say something hurtful. Surrender your expectations and choose to be thankful for what IS, not disappointed by what ISN'T.

Choose One Thing You've Complained about—and Thank God for It
Your home, your job, a relationship, your health. Today, see it through a new lens of gratitude.

Remember Someone Who Has Less
Like Gabriella's family, countless people would see your "worst day" as an answered prayer. Let their reality recalibrate your perspective.

Speak Your Gratitude Out Loud
Before your meal, share specific things you're thankful for. Don't just think it—say it.

Commit to a Complaint-Free Day
Can you go the entire day without complaining? Every time you're tempted to grumble, pause and find something to be thankful for instead.

Thank God for Who He Is, Not Just What He's Given
Thank God for His character: His faithfulness, His love, His grace, His mercy. Our circumstances change, but He never does.

When I returned home from Ecuador, I saw my green carpet in a whole different light. I made a commitment to focus on having a heart of gratitude, not complaining, and that green carpet became a constant reminder.

This Thanksgiving, before the turkey hits the table, let's prepare our hearts first. Because a grateful heart transforms everything—the meal, the moments, and the meaning of the day.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father, 
Forgive me for the times I've focused on what I don't have instead of the abundance You've provided. Open my eyes to see the blessings I take for granted every single day. Give me a heart like Gabriella's family—one that radiates Your light and gratitude despite circumstances. Help me approach tomorrow with thanksgiving and praise, recognizing that every good gift comes from You. Transform my complaints into gratitude and my grumbling into worship. In Jesus' Name, 
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE ON

1. What "green carpet" in your life has become a source of daily irritation? How might God want to use it as a reminder to check your heart?

2. If someone with far less than you observed your life for a day, what would they think about your attitude toward your blessings?

3. How can you practically "enter His gates with thanksgiving" tomorrow—before the celebration begins, before you sit down to eat, before you encounter any challenges?

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/AlexRaths 

Tracie Miles is a popular Author Coach who equips and inspires aspiring writers to pursue their publishing dreams and is also a Christian Literary Agent at Tracie Miles Literary. She is the Author of eight best-selling books, including God’s Got You, Living Unbroken, Living Unbroken: A Divorce Recovery Workbook, Love Life Again, Unsinkable Faith, and Stress Less Living. She is a member of the devotions team for the Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today daily devotions, as well as Christianity.com devotions contributor team. Tracie has three grown children, plus a daughter and son-in-law, all of whom live in Charlotte, North Carolina, and enjoys spending time with friends, family and loving on her little grandbabies.  You can find out more about Tracie on her website at www.traciemiles.com as well as connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.

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