Thanks and Giving - Part 2

So next week many of us will be sitting around tables buzzing with chatter, crowded with food and plates that are heaped.  We will be sharing all the things that we are thankful for, the things we have been "given."  But maybe we have gotten it all wrong.  Maybe we should be giving if we have things to be thankful for that have been given to us.  You may need to read that previous sentence a few times.  I'm not saying to not be thankful, you absolutely should be thankful for the things you have been given.  Each and every single one of us has so much to give, but we don't even realize it.  It may be a smile, time, a helping hand, a listening ear, a hug, a dollar or two, a note, a friendly conversation, and the list goes on.  Any time we give of ourselves to other, we are sharing the light of God.  I shared with the youth how I hate when you see an TV show where someone promises to come home, or promises they'll be safe because those are not promises we can keep for sure.  But I love that I can promise that the light will always pierce the darkness. So give, give, and give some more and darkness will be overcome by His light.

Thanks and Giving - part 1

We are splitting Thanksgiving into 2 parts.  Thanks is part one.  This is not about what you're thankful for but when you have or should have expressed your Thanks.  Thank you to the youth who worked hard collecting food for the Covenant Food Cupboard - the great thing is they can have fun doing it.  Thank you to the parents who drove for the food scavenger hunt, who drove for the outing to the corn maze, who drive their youth to youth group, who bring in drinks and snacks, who offer a word of encouragement or support to the youth and/or myself or other youth workers.  Thank you to all our "neighbors" who filled the bags with food.  Thank you to all those mentors in my life who have guided, supported, and directed me in the many wonderful adventures I've had so far.  Thank you to my awesome and wonderful husband, Kevin, who has loved the youth just as much as I have - if not more at some times.  Thank you to my grown children who send a random text or make an unexpected phone call -  just because.  Thank you to the youth who by nature are pure and total adventure.  Thank you to the driver who let me turn left when there wasn't a break in traffic for half a mile.  Thank you to the cashier who smiled as you did your job.  Thank you to the repair man who didn't overcharge us.  Thank you for the invite.  Thank you for the understanding.  Thanks for being you.  All of these Thank yous are only possible because somebody "gave."  to be continued................................................