Well, it’s that beautiful time of year again where people gather around the table with loved ones and share what they are grateful for. But this year, God got me thinking. What is ‘thanks’ without the ‘giving’? Is it really even ‘thanks’ if you never express it? The point of ‘thanks’ is to give it away, to say it out loud, put it out there in the world, to express gratitude to the one you’re grateful to. Isn’t part of the beauty of ‘thanks’ is that we give it away freely?
God teaches us that the gift of giving is a blessing to the giver just as much as it is to the receiver. So, I ask you, what can you give this Thanksgiving? Maybe your time. Maybe your gifts and talents can be utilized to bless others. Maybe you are blessed financially and can give to a worthy cause, or feed a family that you know needs help this season.
Now, I know our natural minds will tell us to keep so we have, but throughout the Word of God, it is GIVING that leads to RECEIVING. The Bible says that if we give it will be given unto us pressed down, shaken together, and running over (Luke 6:38). It also says that we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).
So, this Thanksgiving I ask you to remember to give, not only thanks, but time, compassion, and thoughtfulness to others. Remember your elderly neighbor next door who has no family in town, remember the single mom who is doing everything she can to makes ends meet, and remember the dad who works long holiday hours just to keep food on his family’s table.
While this season is the most wonderful time of year for most, don’t forget those who may need a little bit of love to feel the Thanksgiving/Christmas cheer. After all, the love of Christ was freely given to us and I can’t think of anything else that I am more grateful. Let His love lead you this Thanksgiving and show forth what the true beauty of this season is all about.
Blessings,
Mandy Fender
