Reflection on Thanksgiving 2025

This year Thanksgiving will be a little different. Our usual family gathering will have two empty chairs. A grandfather. Husband, father and friend for one and a son, brother and loved one for the other.  We try to understand that empty chairs are inevitable, but do we fully understand. Can we accept it and move forward in our lives with sadden hearts and that empty feeling. The ache in our hearts and tears on our cheeks tell of the love we have for those not with us. We remember the stories that knit us together with the ones we miss so much. Open our hearts to the joyful memories of the love we shared with those who have gone before us. We are thankful as we gather for having them in our lives and knowing we will one day be reunited with them. On this Thanksgiving day we offer our prayers for all the families who have empty chairs at their tables. “Dear God, we are gathered as a family to say, ‘Thank you,’ for all the blessings you have given us. We thank you for life, provision, and protection. We thank you too for the relationships you have created around this table. Family ties and friendships, for all their complexity, are your great gift to us. We ask for your blessing in this. We also ask your blessings for those missing. They were an important part of this celebration. And when we are together again, help us to remember that your gifts are more precious when we have a chance to long for them. Thank you again for all your promises and your faithfulness to have given them to us. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.