Thanksgiving | Doubting Believer

by revruss November 21, 2023

A Little Help with the Relatives

I just had to share this TikTok series from @mrs.frazzled where a kindergarten teacher and gentle parenting adherent uses her skills on relatives at the holiday gathering. They're hilarious, but also contain some wisdom you might find helpful. https://www.tiktok.com/@mrs.frazzled/video/7302588223883267374?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7301743293395322414 https://www.tiktok.com/@mrs.frazzled/video/7301081269260127534?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7301743293395322414 https://www.tiktok.com/@mrs.frazzled/video/7301468875416276266?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7301743293395322414 These hilarious videos are an excellent reminder that even (or perhaps especially) during the holidays, bad behavior is not okay, loving people means respecting them and children get to have boundaries, too. ...

by revruss November 19, 2022

Feasts and Festivals

10 Things Not to Say at Thanksgiving

Make your holiday a happy one. Based on my experience and extensive research, here are the top 10 questions to avoid this Thanksgiving Day. So, who did you vote for? When are you two getting married?When are you gonna have a kid/another kid or when are you gonna stop having kids? (basically stay away from all talk of people's sex lives and reproductive choices)Do you have a job yet?How can you ...

by revruss November 26, 2020

Feasts and Festivals

This Thanksgiving, Remember…

This Thanksgiving, remember: You are a beloved child of God. You do not owe your great-aunt Mildred an explanation for your life choices. You get to eat as much or as little as you like--and allow others to do the same…without comment. The number of children you choose to have (or not have) is no one's business but yours. Your value is not determined by how you measure up to the achievements of others. This is ...

by revruss November 19, 2020

Pop Culture

Thanksgiving TV You Won’t Want to Miss

I like television. Yeah, there's a lot of bad stuff out there (I'm looking at you, Hallmark movies and reality TV), but Thanksgiving is when some of the good shows really bring out their best. They remind us that no one's meal comes off perfectly, everyone has relatives that drive them up a wall and that, in spite of it all, there is much to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is going ...

by revruss November 26, 2019

Feasts and Festivals

10 Things Not To Say at Thanksgiving

Make your holiday a happy one. Based on my experience and extensive research, here are the top 10 questions to avoid this Thanksgiving Day. So, what do you think about the impeachment hearings? When are you two getting married?When are you having kids/another kid/trying for a boy/girl? (basically stay away from all talk of people's sex lives and reproductive choices)Do you have a job yet? Or the related: When are you ...

by revruss November 22, 2018

Faith Practices

The Dream of the Table

(This post is a compilation of a sermon given and an article written in the past. I feel like the idea of “The Dream of the Table” is one that I first read somewhere else, but I can’t seem to locate it at this time. Perhaps there is a song with this title? At any rate, the sentiment expressed is worth remembering at this time–or any time–of the year.) The Dream ...

by revruss November 21, 2018

Faith Practices , Unsolicited Opinions

Not Feeling Thankful? It’s Okay!

Thanksgiving is tomorrow! And there’s so much to be thankful for! After all, you are not a refugee seeking a new place to call home. Your Thanksgiving table is not limited to whatever the good people at the church or the food bank or the Lion’s Club put in your basket or box this year. You are (most likely) not an election commissioner in a state with an unresolved race. Your level ...

by revruss November 20, 2018

Pop Culture

Best Thanksgiving Movies

If you're too full after Thanksgiving to move and go out to the movies, here are a few to view in-home. Pieces of April is not just my favorite Thanksgiving movie, but one of my favorite movies of all time. It's a tale of redemption. My husband tells me I think everything is a tale of redemption--but this story truly is. Planes, Trains and Automobiles has been out there for awhile, but, ...

Uncategorized

Not Feeling Thankful? It’s Okay

Thanksgiving is tomorrow! And there's so much to be thankful for! After all, you are not a refugee seeking a new place to call home. Your Thanksgiving table is not limited to whatever the good people at the church or the food bank or the Lion's Club put in your basket or box this year. You are not a presidential candidate. Your level of gratitude should be through the roof! Except that maybe ...