Helping one another

While there is debate about what kinds of foods were served at the first Thanksgiving dinner, there can be no question that the meal was a feast of thanksgiving to our Creator for His provision. A bountiful harvest complimented by gifts from Native Americans set the stage for the very first Thanksgiving feast in America. It was a time when people reached out to help their neighbors survive the harshness of their new situation. 

“And God be praised we had a good increase… Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”  

As Americans we have so much to be thankful for. Even those who find themselves temporary living on the street can find comfort at many soup kitchens operating for the holidays. Once there, volunteers joyfully ladle out the fixings to weary travelers who are treated to several savory entrées. On one Thanksgiving in Mexico while visiting an orphanage, a child maybe four or five took me by the hand and led me to her only worldly possession, a simple small mattress. She was so very thankful for it that she just had to show me. She was truly thankful for God’s provision and the opportunity to have a visitor in her home.  

The psalmist says in psalm 95 “Come let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.” Oh, if we only would take time everyday to give thanks, praising our Creator for the gift of His Son, Jesus! Try and take a few moments each day to appreciate the small gifts we are treated to daily; the smile of a child, a kiss from a loved one, the fragrance of a beautiful rose or even just making it through the city on all green lights.   

The creation text in Genesis records that God created the world in six days and then rested from His work on the seventh day. God’s work was completed, lacked nothing and from that time on would continue growing old, groaning as it waits for redemption. Our bodies are growing older too waiting for renewal through our redemption. So as we see that awesome day approaching let us continue giving thanks to God!  

Let us live every day with a thankful heart, always looking for an opportunity to help someone else in need. Not allowing the cares of this world to steal our joy from us but instead keeping our hope fixed on running the race to the finish line. 

So this year before we huddle inside with our family away from the rest of the world,  why not give thanks to God by looking for  an opportunity to bless others. There is no better way to give thanks to God than to reach out to someone with a random act of kindness. 

We can’t be everywhere, but we can be somewhere. We can’t do everything but we can do something. Let’s make a small difference in our world this Thanksgiving by simply being kind to each other. Give of yourself by donating clothes, money or your time to a homeless shelter.  Make a new friend with just a smile or by striking up a conversation with a stranger who passes by. Spend time at a church, local fellowship or youth center. Wherever there are people there are opportunities to serve them. By serving other people we are giving thanks to God.  

Jesus was a servant of all. On the night before His crucifixion He gave thanks then girded His loins to wash all the disciples’ feet. The Creator of the universe humbled Himself to serve the ones He loved. In doing so He modeled for us how we are to love God by reaching out to others. So this Thanksgiving take time to remember that what really matters in life are the relationships we make and maintain.