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A Thanksgiving Blessing

A Thanksgiving Blessing

Last updated on: November 24, 2016 at 2:03 pm by Reba Riley

A Thanksgiving Blessing 2016-11-24T14:03:26-04:00 Reba Riley

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Holiday meals can be difficult for families who do not share the same religion, or who have no religion at all. They want to acknowledge the sacredness of togetherness, but aren’t sure how to do so—especially if matters of faith have been divisive.

This is a Thanksgiving Blessing which may be read aloud in lieu of prayer: it honors the special time of being together by emphasizing the things we all share— instead of highlighting differences. It reminds us why we gather and all we have to be grateful for in our lives.

And while It isn’t guaranteed to make anyone shed a thankful tear, many were seen around our holiday table last year. (I’m looking at you, Grandmothers!)

From our home to yours: May this Blessing be offered with peace and joy. Happy Thanksgiving!

A Thanksgiving Blessing

We come together this day

Gathered in gratitude

For all the beauty in our lives.

And when we count our blessings—as we should–

We look to our left [reader does all indicated actions to lead others to do the same], and to our right, and across the table, and we see the faces of those who love us.

We close our eyes and we think of dear ones near and far, of old and new friends, of loved ones who are gone, but are never forgotten, for they have forever changed our lives.

We think of our freedom, the peace with which we gather, the meal awaiting us, the safe and warm beds to which we will return tonight, and we remember that it is not so for many around the world.

For all those souls who suffer we offer a moment of silence. [Reader takes beat of silence]

We open our eyes and think of the sight we have to enjoy sunsets, the ears we have to hear music, the voice we have to sing along with the radio, the skin we’ve been given to experience this one wild, precious life.

With all our blessings, it is tempting to mention only the things of joy when we give thanks

But the difficulties we face are a blessing, too.

For it is only when we are lonely that we understand what it is to be together here

It is our sadness that makes room in our hearts for the joy of this day.

So we give thanks for the darkness and for the light

For the things we lack, and for our bounty

For the things we have lost, and for those we have found.

We count all these things as blessings, for they create this complicated, messy, utterly beautiful life that we share.

And now we join hands [everyone joins hands] and take a moment to savor this very moment, for it is only in moments that we live.

And together, we give thanks.

[Amen optional…Alternately: “Let’s eat!”]

thanksgiving

Reba Riley is the author of Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome: One Woman’s Desperate, Funny, Healing Journey To Explore 30 Religions By Her 30th Birthday, the 2016 memoir Elizabeth Gilbert calls: “Hilarious, courageous, provocative, profound…Reba Riley brings the light for seekers of all paths. If Eat Pray Love had a gutsy, wise, funny little sister, it would be Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome.” She is a motivational speaker, blogger, and television contributor. You can find her online on Facebook Instagram Twitter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy2FwMsNAUQ

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Interfath; Reba Riley; Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome; PTCS

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