Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving in America. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. It is a relaxed time that I truly savor and look forward to each year. For the most part, I’ve not been too caught up in what people call the Christmas rush of writing cards and buying gifts of who knows what. But I’ve seen some who do get “all crankied up,” as a friend of mine says, and just being around people in that state of mind tends to make me a bit uneasy.
In the past I’ve viewed Thanksgiving as a time to reflect on a few of the many, many blessings I am thankful for. And for me to take the time to be thankful is always a good thing.
We’re living through a difficult time right now in our home. Recently my wife and I watched some film clips from a Christian relief agency which is helping folks in several third-world countries. One family was extremely grateful that they now had a bed to sleep on. The bed consisted of a sheet of particle board which was held off the ground by some 2x4s. Many other families were very excited about being given a simple goat or some chickens so they could now have better nutrition and help out neighbors once their animals reproduced. Another man had lost his wife and kids in an earthquake. He was thankful to be alive and his one request was to be given some direction by God so he could know how to serve Him once again.
These, and millions of others, are real life situations concerning the day to day lives of actual people. Although we often don’t like to think of such things while living in America, the vast majority of people in the world live in conditions far below our standard of living. From my time living in Africa, I know first-hand how many of the native people are more thankful than I am, yet by world standards they have far less than I do.
If you’d like to help a family in poverty this Christmas season, here is a link to one agency that is doing just that. Gift Catalog SP . You can give a gift in someone’s honor, and send them a note about it. It might be better for them and you than another pair of socks under the tree. You can even help give a family a goat or some chickens if you want, or a whole lot of other things. Not too sure about turkeys though.
I have so much to be thankful for.
I hope you have a great Thanksgiving.