Thanksgiving is upon us. It is one of those times of the year that we enjoy being with family, eating and watching football/basketball. Family will visit with us or we will travel to be with family. This is a special time of the year for purchasing things that have been discounted at the Marketplaces on black Friday. However, be thankful for health and family and what you have remembering that we have an epidemic of homelessness in the richest country in the world. So, remember that added blessing always brings added responsibility.
Stop complaining! Happiness doesn’t come from getting what you want; it comes form recognizing and enjoying what you have. So, keep a positive attitude and be grateful every day. Rudyard Kipling said, “Don’t pay too much attention to fame, power, or money. Some day you will meet a person who cares for none of these, and then you will know how poor you are.”
Stop assuming! When you see your neighbors buying new furniture, taking expensive vacations, and driving the latest car, does something stir inside you to do the same? Be careful; just because someone appears to be in similar circumstances to yours doesn’t mean anything. They might earn twice as much. On the other hand, they may be in debt up to their ears or three-quarters of the way to bankruptcy or a divorce court. Stop making assumptions and trying to be like somebody else.
Stop withholding! Bruce Larson said, “Money is another pair of hands to heal, feed, and bless the desperate families of the earth. In other words, money is my other self.” But that’s only true if you are willing to part with it. Money is like fertilizer. If you spread, it around it helps things grow. Money gives you options the less fortunate can only pray for. And one more very important thought. How you use your money will be one of the biggest issues you will face on at the end of life.
Believe me when I say to you that your giving will be a determining factor when it comes to your eternal reward. So, this Thanksgiving enjoy family, eat and enjoy fine foods, watch football/basketball with family and friends and shop until you drop but remember to take time to help the helpless and your reward for your “act of kindness” will build you an escrow account that you can’t contain. So, Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Chaplain Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
