Give of Yourself To Show Thanksgiving

By Paula Pinto

I shared in a recent post that my dad had passed away when I was pregnant. The post generated many comments because in some way we all understand loss. We know what it is to have to keep going when everything within is screaming "stop."

It was during the time and still today that I had to remind myself of Proverbs 3:5&6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path."

Our paths seem to take a detour sometimes. They go off track from what we expect. That was a major hit in my life, and it occurred the week of Thanksgiving. My head says "that wasn’t how it was supposed to happen."

Losing a parent is awful. Losing them the day after a holiday is horrible and while you’re carrying their grandchild leaves me speechless sometimes. I'm had two choices…..to be bitter or to be better. There are moments I’ve been both. 

That said, as I look back at the past few years there are moments I stop and literally ask myself…..why did this or that happen? Not just once but many times the thought has come and gone.

Certainly, there have been wonderful times and memories made on this path, also. There have been times that I have great reason to smile or I remind myself of the reasons why I should.

Nevertheless, I’m indebted to those who gave of themselves. Whether it was something simple or grand God used them in my life at that moment. It's incredible how far an act of kindness can go......

We hear people say to thank God for our food because there are people who don’t have anything. The saying sounds cliche but it's true! If you have food in your refrigerator or money in your wallet to buy something to eat, you’re considered rich to many. 

How do you show you’re thankful for what you have? Give something away. We all have something we're able to give....

When God put it on your heart to give, it’s not for us to analyze a situation. I can look at the homeless man and say "he’s probably going to buy beer with it." He may. You know what…...many of us might too if we were living on the street without anyone. He also might feel the compassion of a stranger and rest having a meal that night. You can speak to someone, buy them something, just show them that they're no less deserving of kindness than we are.

You can give of your time. There are plenty of organizations that need volunteers. There are even friends that could use our help. Do you know a single mother who hasn’t had a break? Perhaps, you can offer to babysit. Do you know an elderly person that doesn’t get much company? Visit with a cup of coffee. Do you know the guy that looks like he has it all together? Ask him how he’s doing. He may not be inclined to say so.

Perhaps, we assume that people have it all together because financially they’re doing well or they seem happily married with kids. However, you never know what someone is really feeling or what they’re facing unless you show interest in their life. There are many people walking around- some are wealthy, some are somewhere in between and some are poor but what they all share in common is their human and have feelings. 

This week I make a simple request….give of yourself in some way. Whether it’s time, money, food, friendship, compliments etc etc etc. Let someone know you care. Be the person you've needed from time to time.

God Bless you all!