Giving the Day After Thanks

After a day thanking and eating comes the day after. The second part of the word Thanksgiving, “Giving”. Now most of you might say that refers to Black Friday, the getting up early, laying out a plan of attack to get to all the best buys that can be found so you can impress others with that lavish gift. However, I see it as the second of a two fold purpose found in the word.

From now to Christmas Day we will make lists of all the people we will buy gifts for, and plan for the gifts we must buy because someone unexpectedly bought us a gift. Sadly, we seem to have lost our way when it comes to this giving thing. We truly judge and are judged by how much we spend on someone in reference to gifts. If you suddenly found yourself in a circumstance where you could not buy anything how would this affect you and those who are used to receiving something from you? I’m sure this would bring a lot of stress to you, wondering how you would manage to tell the receivers that you have fallen on hard times. Then there is the worry that your friends and family may look at you differently and in some cases disappear from you life. This is when you should stop and re- evaluate the word giving.

So you don’t have money to buy anything! Ask yourself this question, what describes you as a person? Is Christmas the only time of the year you are known as a giver? Is that the only time of the year you are given to? If the answer to these questions is yes then your “Thanks Giving” is out of whack!

God says it is more blessed to give than to receive. If this is true why do we only make practice of it everyday! If God says that He wants to give you His very best why do we avoid receiving it? If God practices giving and receiving daily why aren’t we? The gifts that mean the most are the most insignificant in our eyes! The perfectly timed phone call when a friend or family member is hurting or feeling down. The sharing of a meal with warm hospitality. The time taken to write a note of thanks or encouragement. The unexpected visit that just lifts someone’s spirit. How about time taken to pray for blessings to be poured out on those we love. Now when you are on the receiving end of these things you should truly feel loved and blessed.

This year we all in some way will face hardships. So instead of giving of your means, give of your time, your heart and from your soul. Remind those around you just how much they are loved and appreciated!

For all those special people in my life I would like you to know that they are treasured beyond gold, they are loved beyond words, they are needed to make my life complete. In so many ways I have been richly blessed by all of them. My gift to you is my prayers daily, my availability, my encouragement for your success, my sharing, that what ever I have is yours! Take time today and give in a way that you have never given before. You will truly bless others and be blessed likewise!