During this time of thanksgiving, the focus is often on “thanks,” and rightly so. We say thank you for all of our blessings, and we count those blessings in the most liberal way possible. We are thankful not only for material things, but also
During this time of Thanksgiving, the focus is often on “thanks,” and rightly so. We say thank you for all of our blessings, and we count those blessings in the most liberal way possible. We are thankful not only for material things but also for friends and family, health and welfare, and the love of our God.
But what often gets lost during this time is the “giving” part of the season. We forget that we have an obligation to share in our blessings. President-elect Barack Obama and his family set a wonderful example by taking time from their holiday to help pass out Thanksgiving baskets to needy families. It is the kind of holiday tradition that needs to be repeated throughout the community.
It is no secret that our economy is in a tailspin, and those winds are ravaging our communities. While some economists expected riches to trickle down to our community during good times, what happens during bad times is more like sewers backing up, first soaking those on the bottom. With an unemployment rate at a 14-year high and companies predicting more job cuts in the next two months, many in our community are hurting and in need of help.
You don’t have to go far to find opportunities to help. Whether it is the local soup kitchen or food pantry, or just helping your church get people to the sanctuary. It doesn’t even have to be an organized function. It could just be the simple act of purchasing some groceries for a family or buying gas for someone or just visiting sick and shut in.
Sometimes, it is a matter of just giving of your time, spending it with young people, reading or just hanging out.
Sometimes, the best time you can spend is actually spending it with your own children – not standing in line at the electronics store for hours to get the latest technological marvel at a discount.
The season of giving does not have to adhere to a calendar. The need lasts year-round, and the giving can of course be year-round. Just as we can continuously give thanks, we are restricted in our giving only by our imaginations. We can give of ourselves as long as we have something to give.
We should remember that giving is what makes the season. It allows us to help others in need, when we are able, and at the same time, give something to ourselves. It is not a matter of giving to make ourselves feel good, but instead giving to make someone else feel better. That we feel good about giving is just an added blessing.
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