Turkey For One, Please!

That's not just okay , it might actually be the gift your solo sanity didn't know it needed . Welcome back , my single peeps , to another episode of it's a Single Mom Thing . So let's be honest , the holidays , well , they can come with all kinds of baggage expectations , financial stress , family drama and , yes , even some trauma .

And when you're a single mom , that list can feel even heavier than a 20-pound butterball , leaving you wondering if there's really anything left to be thankful for . But what if this Thanksgiving we didn't focus on what's missing or what's overwhelming ? And listen , this is for me too .

What if , instead , we gave thanks for things we often overlook the little victories , the quiet moments and the presence of God who never leaves us ?

What if , this Thanksgiving , we let go of what the holiday is quote unquote supposed to be and supposed to look like , and instead embrace the beauty of what it could be creating possibly I don't know a new holiday memory , whether you're celebrating solo by choice , by circumstance or because your kids are with their other parent .

This year , today we're diving into how to make turkey for one not just bearable , but maybe even a little beautiful . And here's the best part as a believer , you know your table is never truly empty when you invite Jesus to sit with you .

He's not just an honored guest , he is the reason we can still find gratitude and joy , no matter what this season looks like , am I right ? So today I want to create the space to flip the script on a traditional Thanksgiving for a transformational Thanksgiving . Listen , thanksgiving doesn't have to look like what the world says it should .

It's not about how big your table is or how perfect the meal turns out . It's about the love that's shared , the memories created and yes , the presence of Jesus at the center of it all , not your centerpiece .

Today we are redefining this Thanksgiving moment , creating new traditions , giving thanks for things overlooked and celebrating yes , I said celebrating what truly matters . So , whether your table has one chair or a few extra booster chairs , you need to grab your stretchy pants , girl .

Have a little pumpkin spice something you need to grab your stretchy pants , girl , have a little pumpkin spice something . And let's make this holiday one to remember , with the one to remember Turkey for one . Yes , please , redefining this Thanksgiving moment .

Thanksgiving is supposed to be about gratitude , but let's be honest when you're juggling single parenthood , financial stress or a quieter table than you had hoped for , it is hard to feel thankful , am I right ? I understand this hard-fought , heartfelt emotion .

Add in the picture-perfect posts floating on your social media and suddenly your turkey , for one , can feel like a giant gaping spotlight on what's missing . But what if we flip the script ? What if , instead of focusing on what's missing , we started giving thanks for the things we've overlooked ? And what if we reminded ourselves of this truth ?

One is a whole number . You've heard me say that before . You see , it's easy to feel like being alone or having a smaller table means something is lacking . But , as we discussed earlier this year , we lack nothing . But here's the thing One is not less than One is complete , one is whole .

And whether it's just you at the table or you and your little ones , this is still a moment to celebrate the fullness of God's love and provision . I mean , think about it , girl . When was the last time you thanked God for the strength to get through a tough day . I know there have been many .

When was the last time you thanked him for the little moments like your kid's smile or a quiet cup of coffee before the chaos begins ? I don't know how ?

About for the ways he's provided , even when it wasn't in the way you expected , for the bed that supports your head and your rest as you rest in him , even down to the time he moved you in the spirit not to give the one finger salute to the person who just cuts you off in traffic , continuing to be the light to somebody else's shadow . That was him .

Sometimes , gratitude well , it isn't about the big , obvious blessings . It's about recognizing God's hand in the everyday , the things we don't even think to count as blessings because they feel so small .

But here's the truth when you start thanking God for the little things , your perspective shifts , even just a little , and suddenly you realize there's more to be grateful for than you thought . So , before we even talk about turkey or traditions , let's take a moment to pause and reflect . What's something you've overlooked this year that deserves your gratitude ?

Maybe , I don't know . It's as simple as surviving a hard season , making it through the storm , or finding joy in your unexpected places . I don't know about you , but I love when I find joy in unexpected places , sometimes even like a job or a journey . You see , this Thanksgiving , let's not wait for the big moments to give thanks .

Let's give thanks to God for the overlooked blessings , the quiet reminders that he's with us and the promise that , no matter how our table looks this year , his presence makes it full . Cheers to a new tradition . Now that we've shifted our focus from what's missing to what's present , let's talk about this .

Just because your Thanksgiving table looks different doesn't mean it can't be special . In fact , this could be your chance to start something brand new , a tradition that's uniquely yours , one to go down into your history books . Remember . History can be hysterical .

Maybe you've always felt the pressure to do a Thanksgiving a certain way turkey cooked just right , a picture perfect table and a guest list to match . But this year , what if you , girl , tossed that rule book out the window and did things your way ? Here's the beauty of being a single mom at Thanksgiving . And yes , there is beauty .

You're free to create the holiday that works for you . Want to ditch the turkey and have chicken tacos instead ? Go for it . Feel like watching movies in your pajamas all day . Make it a tradition . Want to trade in your dinner table for a picnic table ? Even plates to paper plates ? Oh , girl , cheers to a new tradition . Clink , clink .

You see , thanksgiving doesn't have to be about what's expected . It's about what brings you and your family joy in the unexpected , unrehearsed moments . And if it's just you at the table , girl , this year , think about how you can make it meaningful . Set a beautiful place for yourself . Light a candle , light several candles , the good , smelly ones too .

Have a meal that you've always marveled at and invite Jesus to sit with you , leaving room for him and some dessert . Take a moment to write down what you're thankful for , even the small things , and if you're up for it , call a friend or someone who might need a little encouragement too . Thanksgiving is less about the meal and more about the moments .

It's not the turkey that makes it special , it's the heart behind it . This year , girl , you get to decide how to fill your table with love and laughter and gratitude , whether it's just set for one or you and your little ones . New traditions yeah , they don't have to be trying and complicated .

They can be as simple as starting the day with prayer , making a favorite dish together with your kids , catching a sunset , or even writing letters of thanks to God for blessings he's given you , the ones you know we've overlooked . Remember , you're not stuck with the way things have always been , although I do understand that that is easy to do .

You do have a choice to do something and be something different . You have the freedom listen , girl to create something beautiful , something that reflects who you are and the season you're in . And who knows these new traditions ? They might become the ones your kids carry into their own family some days , inviting Jesus to your table .

So pull out a chair and let's talk about the most important guest at your Thanksgiving table this year . Surprise , it's Jesus . Whether your table is set for one or a few , it's never truly empty when you invite him to join you , is it ? Sometimes holidays like Thanksgiving ? Well , I understand this .

They can feel very isolating , especially if you're spending them solo mio . But here's the truth . You know God sees you , he meets you exactly where you are and he's always ready to pull a chair up to your table . Do you have a seat saved for him ? Think about it the same God who fed thousands with just a few loaves of fish .

Who calmed storms with a word , who healed the broken , is the same God who is sitting with you right now . He's not just present , he's bringing peace , love and hope to your table . He's got presence . Who couldn't use an extra helping of that , especially through the year that we've just been through ? Take a moment to invite him in .

Maybe it's with a simple prayer of gratitude , like this Lord , thank you for this moment , for this season and for your presence in my life , even when things don't look the way I had hoped . I trust that you are here , working all things for my good . You see , when you make room for Jesus at your table , something changes . I'm telling you , girl , listen .

The loneliness , it starts to fade , the stress takes a backseat , and then suddenly you realize you're not doing this holiday alone . You realize he is with you .

And here's the best part when Jesus is at your table , he brings abundance , not necessarily in the form of a cornucopia of turkey and stuffing , but in the form of peace that surpasses all understanding , of joy that no circumstance can take away , and of love that reminds you that you are never , ever forgotten .

Good gravy , girl , you are protected , preserved and provided for , possibly in ways you overlooked . Maybe for a little dessert . You ask him to show you the ways he's been there for you when you weren't looking . You can even go for seconds .

So this Thanksgiving , let's not just focus on what's on the table , let's focus on who's at the table , because his presence , oh yes , it turns even the simplest meal into a feast of gratitude and grace , giving thanks for the overlooked . Now , as we discussed Thanksgiving , it isn't all about gravy , it's about gratitude . But let's be for real .

It's easy to thank God for the big , shiny blessings , right , the ones that everyone can see . But what about the little things , the overlooked moments , the blessings that didn't come wrapped in a bow but were still gifts from him ? Think about this past year .

Maybe it wasn't picture perfect , maybe it was downright hard , but even in the mess , god was there , providing in ways that may I don't know , they might not have stood out at the time .

Can you think of a few like I don't know that one friend who checked in on you when you felt invisible , the strength you found to get through a day when you didn't think you could , the moments when your kids smiled , laughed or hugged you , even if the rest of the day was total chaos , or the person in line who paid it forward . Yeah , that was him .

You see , sometimes the blessings we overlook are the ones that matter the most . It's the small , quiet reminders that God is with us , that he sees us and that he hasn't forgotten us . He sees you , girl , even when you're trying to fake it and make it . And when we take time to notice and thank him for those moments , our perspective changes .

Sometimes we just need to turn down , thank him for those moments . Our perspective changes . Sometimes we just need to turn down the noise to hear him , see him catch a glimpse of a blessing from him . Gratitude isn't about pretending everything is perfect . It's about seeing God's hand in the imperfect , the mundane and even the hard .

It's about recognizing that , even when the world feels heavy , he's still giving us reasons to be thankful for . He is doing the weightlifting for you . All you have to do is just take a breath to find a blessing to be thankful for .

So here's a challenge for you this Thanksgiving Take a moment I don't know to write down three things you're thankful for that you might have overlooked . They don't have to be big .

In fact , the smaller the better , because when you start to notice the little things , you realize just how present God has been all along , and you don't just have to look for him any longer for the big things . Let's be people who give thanks in all circumstances , not just for what's easy to see , but for the quiet ways God has shown up in our lives .

Let's thank him for the overlook , the unexpected and the things that remind us that he is always faithful . Much like the pilgrims on their first Thanksgiving in 1621 , we have reasons to be thankful for even in seasons of struggle , they had survived a brutal winter , leaned on their faith and found support in a new community .

Their gratitude wasn't for a life free of hardship , but for the strength , the provision and the relationships that carried them through . And here we are , centuries later , carrying the same truth that in survival , in faith and in community , there's always something to be thankful for , even when it feels like we're barely making it girl .

God's provision sustains us , his presence strengthens us and His people yeah they remind us that we're not alone . This Thanksgiving , let's honor the legacy . Let's be grateful for our survival in the storms , for the faith that anchors us and for the community , however big or small that walks alongside us .

Because , girl , these blessings , those sometimes overlooked , are the ones that truly matter . So , I don't know , maybe you write a gratitude letter to yourself or to God , reflecting on how far you've come . Create a prayer jar where you write down blessings or hopes for the year ahead .

Plan a future celebration with your kids when they return , turning Thanksgiving into a season rather than a single day , redefining the meaning of Thanksgiving . Okay , so , as I close , let's get real .

Somewhere along the way , thanksgiving stopped being about gratitude and started being about stretchy pants , black Friday sales and figuring out how to politely decline Aunt Edna's mystery casserole . Do we even know what's in that thing ? And hey , I'm not knocking the stretchy pants . We all need those after a good Thanksgiving meal .

But let's talk about what Thanksgiving really means . If your Thanksgiving looks a little different this year , whether it's just you or you and your little ones gathered around a table for one , let me remind you of this . Thanksgiving isn't about how many people are at the table or how perfectly everything comes together .

It's about gratitude , and that doesn't require a crowd . You don't need a packed table to give thanks . You don't need a gourmet meal to feel full , and you definitely don't need the world's definition of perfect to celebrate what's good in your life , because when you invite Jesus to your table , he fills the empty spaces with his presence , his peace and his love .

So if it's turkey for one this year , or two , or even five , remember this one is a whole number and when you add Jesus to the equation , it's more than enough . He turns your quiet Thanksgiving into a sacred moment , reminding you that you are seen , loved and held this Thanksgiving . Let's redefine the holiday moment .

Forget the pressure to make it insta-worthy or the guilt over what it is not or what you just ate . Instead , focus on what is , what is a chance to celebrate the blessings you do have , the people who matter the most and the God who's been with you every step of the way .

And if you're struggling to see those blessings this year , you are not alone and you don't have to carry that weight by yourself . Our 24-hour prayer line is always open at 855-822-PRAY . Whether you need someone to pray with you , talk to you or simply remind you that God's got this , we are here for you .

And if you don't know Jesus , we are even here to introduce you to him so he can be an honored guest at your table this year , creating a new Thanksgiving tradition , and if you're looking for a way to deepen your faith and find your community , we encourage you to find a Bible-based church where you can plug in , grow and be supported .

You don't have to figure this out alone , and you are never truly by yourself unless you want to be so grab those stretchy pants , burn those rolls if you must , and let's celebrate Thanksgiving in its purest form , with gratitude , faith and maybe a second helping of pie or two , because no matter how many chairs are at your table , when Jesus is with you it is

always full Turkey for one . Please have a wonderful week and remember it's a single mom thing and not the single thing that stops you . Thanks for listening to . It's a Single Mom Thing . I hope you enjoyed our time together . If you have more questions on how to have a relationship with Jesus or need prayer , visit us at wwwshepherdsvillagecom backslash prayer .

For more information and resources , check out our show notes .