Are you hosting Thanksgiving in a few weeks? At times my gratitude for this special family time is overshadowed by my grumble. Planning meals and activities, cleaning, and cooking are all big priorities as I gear up the week before, the week of, and then collapse the week after. Many of you reading this get it. It’s a ton of work!

But having our kids home when they live far away is the best.

I love waking up early knowing we have a full house, everyone nestled in their beds, hot coffee brewing, and lively conversation on the horizon.

In the middle of hosting and hospitality, my birthday is thrown in there, which is also great because I get to share it with my favorite people…but, as I mentioned, much work must be done. So, my day is never really relaxing. It’s enjoyable but exhausting!

One year as I considered the approaching holiday, I grumbled to myself thinking can’t we go on a cruise or have enchiladas for Thanksgiving dinner? The turkey, potatoes, stuffing…you know the drill…it’s all so laborious. Grumble, grumble.

But the mom in me loves to keep traditions going strong so while taking a cruise or fixing Mexican fare for T-Day is a nice idea, it never happens.

The Lord spoke to my complaining heart this particular year with Proverbs 11:25 (which also happens to be my birth date:)

“A generous man will prosper, those who refresh others will himself be refreshed.”

Incredible. How amazing is God to speak to my thoughts and address my laments by giving me His word with my birthday attached to it?

My hospitality and service to my family and friends is refreshing to me and others. Yes, it’s a lot of work, but ultimately the time together in our home, with laughter and yummy comfort food is rewarding and uplifting. My grumble turned to gratitude as I considered…I get to do this. I get to spend time with my children and dear ones and use my gift of hospitality to bless others. And I get to share our home and our provisions because God has allowed us to. What a gift.

So, with a grateful heart, I will embrace every moment and rejoice over a Thanksgiving birthday surrounded by loved ones.

Here’s a favorite recipe for your Thanksgiving meal!

Carmelized Sweet Potato Wedges:

5 tablespoons butter

4 -5 large yams/sweet potatoes, peeled, cut crosswise, then cut in wedges

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 9 x 13in pan with 1 tablespoon of butter. Put sweet potatoes in large mixing bowl. In small saucepan melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup water and brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt. Bring to simmer, stirring constantly, and cook just until the sugar has dissolved. Pour evenly over potatoes and toss to coat well.

Arrange sweet potatoes in prepared baking pan and cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake in the center of oven until tender when pierced with fork, about 45 minutes. Uncover, raise the oven temperature to 475 and baste the potatoes. Bake in top third of oven until syrup thickens and the potatoes carmelize at edges, about 20 minutes longer. (For marshmallow version add 2- 2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows to the top then broil about 2 minutes until lightly browned. Serve immediately.) Enjoy!