"Thanks in Giving"
In case you haven't noticed, my blog site is titled "Live to Give," which I think is an oppropriate title for the upcoming holiday. Why live to give? Because I believe the only way a person truly experiences life is though giving. When we give, our spirit is awakened and our soul truly comes alive, because in some strange way humans are not really human without giving.
The holiday Thanksgiving is usually associated with giving thanks, but I ask you to study this word more carefully, it's spelled, "thanks" "giving". I don't think it is written that way by accident either. Yes, it is a time to be thankful. Yes, it is also a time for giving thanks. But just as import, it is a time to be giving! We always emphasize the thankfulness of the day and rarely remember the giving significance. This year I ask each of you to remember that the word Thanksgiving is a combination word where both parts are equal.
How many times do we really give? I mean, giving until it hurts? Probably not too often. A few weeks ago I made a personal decision to start giving more to others, more money to the poor, more money to church collections, more to those who ask, etc. Then today I got home and opened my mail and saw a hugr bill for $1,1000.00 for the mileage overage on my last leased vehicle! "Best laid plans" I said to myself. How am I going to pay this bill, buy Christmas presents for my kids and family, AND give more? I have no idea. But I made a promise and I have to trust. I will not cut anything out. I will give more to the church and to the poor, buy my kids gifts, AND trust that there will be enough to pay this enormous bill which I was not counting on this time of the year. I'll let you know how I do.
The reality is, there is always some crazy expense (oh did I mention my refrigerator broke last week too?), bills piled up, and holidays to contend with but if I give only when I have a little extra money in my wallet, am I really giving? Nope, this time I will give until it hurts then I will watch my spirit awaken and my soul become lighter, because "it is in giving which we receive..." I can't wait to see what great thing God will send me this Christmas! I hope you all do the same. HAPPY "THANKS FOR GIVING!"
The holiday Thanksgiving is usually associated with giving thanks, but I ask you to study this word more carefully, it's spelled, "thanks" "giving". I don't think it is written that way by accident either. Yes, it is a time to be thankful. Yes, it is also a time for giving thanks. But just as import, it is a time to be giving! We always emphasize the thankfulness of the day and rarely remember the giving significance. This year I ask each of you to remember that the word Thanksgiving is a combination word where both parts are equal.
How many times do we really give? I mean, giving until it hurts? Probably not too often. A few weeks ago I made a personal decision to start giving more to others, more money to the poor, more money to church collections, more to those who ask, etc. Then today I got home and opened my mail and saw a hugr bill for $1,1000.00 for the mileage overage on my last leased vehicle! "Best laid plans" I said to myself. How am I going to pay this bill, buy Christmas presents for my kids and family, AND give more? I have no idea. But I made a promise and I have to trust. I will not cut anything out. I will give more to the church and to the poor, buy my kids gifts, AND trust that there will be enough to pay this enormous bill which I was not counting on this time of the year. I'll let you know how I do.
The reality is, there is always some crazy expense (oh did I mention my refrigerator broke last week too?), bills piled up, and holidays to contend with but if I give only when I have a little extra money in my wallet, am I really giving? Nope, this time I will give until it hurts then I will watch my spirit awaken and my soul become lighter, because "it is in giving which we receive..." I can't wait to see what great thing God will send me this Christmas! I hope you all do the same. HAPPY "THANKS FOR GIVING!"
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