Thanksgiving is a week from today. In the midst of thinking about all that needs to be done to get ready for this uniquely American holiday, have you given any thought to what you can do to focus on the real meaning and the origin of the day? With some forethought and planning, you can make this Thanksgiving even more meaningful by focusing on sharing blessings and rehearsing the true history of the founding of our country and the first thanksgiving in 1621. Being intentional helps ensure the ideas become reality.

These ideas don’t have to be elaborate or terribly time-consuming. For instance, share Bible verses on giving thanks, or have someone tell or various family members act out the story of the first thanksgiving, decide as a family on how to help another family with a special need, and set aside time to pray together with a special emphasis on the blessings of God over the past year.