Hey, friends—it’s that time. The air’s crisp, the leaves are falling where I live, and everywhere you turn, someone’s posting about prepping for the feast and football. But let me be real with you for a second. This is the first Thanksgiving I can remember where the whole “thankful” vibe just isn’t landing. I don’t feel it. Not the warm fuzzies, not the easy overflow of praise. And honestly? The rest part? Forget it. I’d rather dive back into the strategy sessions and the endless to-do list that makes me feel like I’m actually moving the needle. Stopping? Reflecting? Yeah, that sounds about as appealing as… well, turkey. Which, confession: I don’t like Thanksgiving turkey. But I do love this holiday—the American rhythm of pausing to remember provision amid the chaos. I’ll swap the bird for beef or chicken, and thank God for pie. My mom’s pecan and apple pies are masterpieces. I can see them on tables in eternity where calories no longer count!

It’s the week of thanksgiving. For us, family rotations mean a smaller table this year—folks I love deeply, are scattered because of life and logistics. Not our normal, big, boisterous crew. So, I’m short on motivation. And my brain? It’s screaming, “Keep going! Lots to do—don’t let the momentum slip.” I catch myself mentally scrolling through photos, remembering Thanksgiving’s past when the laughter filled the house, the kids were little, and gratitude flowed like the gravy. This year? It’s crickets inside. I don’t want to sit still. I don’t want to say thanks when it feels forced.

You know that tension, right? As leaders, we’re wired for action but sometimes we just are not feeling it. We’re the ones rallying teams, stewing over vision, pushing for that next breakthrough in our work. But here’s the rub: so much of our faith walk gets hijacked by feelings. If it doesn’t “feel” joyful, does it count? If the joy’s MIA, is the follow-through optional? I’ve been there. We chase the high of productivity, mistaking busyness for blessedness. And before we know it, we’re at the table—literal or figurative—exhausted, obligatory, but not truly there. Not resting in the goodness that’s already ours. Not savoring the eternal perspective that says, “This moment? It’s not just filler; it’s formation.”

That’s the trap, isn’t it? We skip straight to doing—stuffing the schedule with activities because that’s what good achievers do. But we miss the deeper current: the invitation to be. To let gratitude simmer not as a task, but as a state. To claim rest not because the world’s quieted down (spoiler: it won’t), but because our King commands it. Remember The 10 Commandments? “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” It’s not a suggestion for when you’re “caught up.” It’s a rhythm etched into creation itself—God modeling the pause after six days of furious making. Why would He stop? I mean He wasn’t tired right and the work was just getting better. But He did it anyway. It’s because we cannot do our best work without gratitude and reflection—to praise God for all He’s given us.

In The Master’s Program, we’ve unpacked this in Session 3, where we coach through the types of time. Sabbath is key. It’s that shift from, “What can I produce?” to the reflection of, “Who am I becoming?” Because here’s the Kingdom hack for us achievers: True impact flows from a rested soul. When you’re frayed, your decisions leak anxiety. When you’re obligatory, your teams feel the strain. But when you be first—thankful in the deep part of you, restful in the mess—everything shifts. Your leadership breathes life. Your family feels seen. And yeah, even that smaller table? It becomes sacred ground.

So, how do we coach this into reality? Start inside, right where the resistance lives. This week, before the bird (or beef) hits the oven, carve out 15 minutes—no phone, no agenda. Sit with a verse like 1 Thessalonians 5:18:

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Name three things, not the flashy wins, but the quiet provisions: the breath in your lungs, the deal that fell through but opened a better door, the colleague who prayed over your pitch last week. Feel the, “I don’t want to”? Lean in. That’s where faith forges steel—choosing thanks when the heart lags behind. Then, guard your Sabbath like the treasure it is. Block it now: Friday sunset to Saturday night, or whatever fits your flow this long weekend. No strategizing. No “quick checks.” Walk. Nap. Read that dog-eared Bible. Let fears whisper, then silence them with truth: God’s providence isn’t fragile; it’s a fortress-strong.

Watch what happens. That internal being spills into doing. You’ll show up at the table not performing gratitude, but radiating it. You’ll delegate without dread, innovate without frenzy. And in the eternal lens? This reluctant rest is compounding interest in the Bank of Heaven—souls shaped, legacies deepened, ground gained one pause at a time.

Friends, with 31 days left in this wild year, don’t let the, “I don’t feel like it” steal your gift of gratitude. Be the thankful one. Be the rested leader. Because when you do, the world doesn’t just see success—they see Christ in us.

Here’s your move: Tonight, text three people: “What’s one gain you’re anchoring in this week?” Share yours back. Then, book that Sabbath slot. Let’s coach each other into this being together. You’ve got this—He’s got you.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

In your corner,
Jeff

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Contact Chris Skiff: chris.skiff@priorityliving.org or 805-440-1700