Thanksgiving Archives - Kristin Saatzer

The Paradox of Gratitude and Guilt: 5 Points to Ponder

November 7, 2022 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

“But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to You…”

Jonah 2:9a NIV

“Finish your soup! There are starving children in China who would love to have it.” Sitting at my grandparent’s table with my sister and two cousins, we glared at the bowls of tomato soup in front of us. Glancing at one another, agreeing by the rolling of four sets of eyes, we were more than willing to ship our foul soup off to China.

I appreciate the values my depression-era grandparents instilled in us (and what I wouldn’t give to sit at a table with them again). But unfortunately, picturing poor Chinese kids did not help me want my soup.

Yet this was a pivotal moment in my life’s journey that led me to muse over my good fortune, wrestle with feelings of guilt, and write out questions in my pink Barbie diary (it even had a lock and key).

Why did God allow me to live in the USA?

Why wasn’t I one of the starving children in China?

Why was I born… ME?

As a child, I didn’t exude gratefulness. Sure, I had my moments, but I was a typical upper-middle-class American kid. My every need was provided for, and I was loved dearly, yet entitled. I never saw or met a truly poor child until well into adolescence.

During my adult life, I’ve had opportunities to see and meet poor children: American kids in the foster and school systems and kids in Mexico living in dumps and begging on the streets. I have met homeless orphans and been with children of Mexican prisoners living in boxes next to the prison. Precious kids needing a bowl of tomato soup and oh so much more.

Because of these experiences and by God’s grace, I have grown into a grateful woman (most of the time).Continue Reading

Thanks-living

November 20, 2018 By Kristin Saatzer 6 Comments

“The one who offers thanksgiving as His sacrifice glorifies me.”

Psalm 50:23b ESV

November has not been kind to California. We lament as stories of suffering and death and horror continue to assault us. Have mercy, Lord. Have mercy!

As we roll into Thanksgiving we see “Give Thanks” signs in stores and homes. We scroll through Facebook and read posts of gratefulness. However, for some, coming up with a blessing is like finding a black cat on a moonless night. Seemingly impossible. Too much pain in the heart to search for good. Where does one begin after losing a child in a shooting or losing a home or an entire town to a fire?

A friend of mine who lost her child, once shared with me that she found it took too much effort in her grief-crippled state to come up with something she could be thankful for. She said it was a sacrifice to try to do so.Continue Reading

I Would Have Lost Heart… The Practice of Gratitude: Part 8

November 26, 2017 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

The Practice of Gratitude: Part 8

Psalm 27:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

¹⁴Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

I would have lost heart, the scripture says…

I am the blessed mother of four amazing dudes. This passage of scripture from Psalm 27 was a familiar one when my circus was young. I returned to these words often. I truly would have lost heart unless I believed these wild ones would grow up with just a teaspoon of civility. I grabbed courage as I prayed they would show goodness to one another at some point in their maturity (goodness in the land of my living!) My life was a bevy of chaos, broken things, fights, noise, emotional outbursts, and fun. Little piggies ate at my table and monkeys climbed my kitchen. I agree with those who say that parenting is not for cowards or the faint of heart. Still, I was thankful for it all.

My youngest is now 13 and my brood is mostly civilized. Thank you, Jesus! My prayers for them continue, even more so. As I glance back at the tragic global events of this fall, I must find the courage to release my sons to fly in such a world.

Have you found yourself losing heart these days? I sure have. The news has given us some tough pills to swallow lately.

I would have lost heart

Yet! There is good on this globe. This is where I connect the dots between our scripture above and The Practice of Gratitude. In all the events this fall, natural and human-made disasters, we saw people acting bravely. Good people risked their lives for others. We’ve read of generosity beyond measure. The goodness of the Lord in the Land of the living, we do not need to mine deep to discover it.

When I focus on the negative and heartbreaking, and the world my boys face, I lose heart. Therefore, the antidote is a practice of gratitude.

As I have shared in earlier blogs, I keep a journal where I record my gratitude. As of today, I have a list of 5,146. Here’s a few from my list this week: apple pie, four boys together for Thanksgiving, didn’t have to drive today, phone time with sis, health insurance, breath in my lungs, friendship with Sarah, orange/red/purple leaves, yellow/green butterflies in my yard… I wait on Him here as I jot down sweet blessings. He fills me with the courage to face the scary. Oh, how God strengthens my heart. Every. Single. Day.

Intentional gratitude changed my life.

Intentional gratitude changes my days.

Do not lose heart, my friend. Wait on God, be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart. I challenge you to record your gratefulness. Mine for the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living. It will change your life. It will change your days.

“How precious are My children who remember to thank Me at all times. They can walk through the darkest days with joy in their hearts because they know that the Light of My Presence is still shining on them.”

~Jesus Calling

Photo by Magda Fou on Unsplash

10 “Safe” Topics For The Thanksgiving Table

November 22, 2016 By Kristin Saatzer Leave a Comment

So, there was an election recently. You might have heard about it.

And here we are careening to the holidays, almost to the Thanksgiving table. For some of us, this presents a challenge: Our expectation is to count our blessings over a delicious meal with friends and family. Instead, Uncle Harold and Cousin Sally would rather spew political opinions and diatribes.

This might be the year for ground rules. A challenge to pull off as a guest, but as a host or hostess- your table, your rules?

The following are “safe” topic ideas:

Kids and Seniors- If there are kids around the table (or kid table) put the spotlight on them. Ask about their interests and school. Have them share a song or poem. Have the seniors among you share stories of how they celebrated the holidays as children.
Veteran’s- I noticed on Facebook that my friends from opposing political parties all seem to be fans. Print off a story of a heroic veteran or two.
Bucket Lists- Have your table guests share theirs.
Jokes- Funny NON-political, cheesy and clean.
Inspirational Stories- It keeps the perspective positive. Check out: chickensoup.com
Sports- This is an exciting time of year for the NFL, college football, NBA and college basketball.
Beautiful places visited- Share travel stories.
Favorite books read from this past year- My personal preference! Provide paper and pens.
Goals for the New Year- New fitness or workout trends, financial or relational goals.
GRATEFULNESS- But of course! Count your many, many blessings.