Thanks and Giving

Its funny how those two words (thanks and giving) separately have a lot of meaning.  Everyone knows what it means to give thanks and likewise we understand what it means to give.  However somewhere along the way the words when combined translated to the meaning "take a day off to eat all you want".   I know I'm guilty of stuffing my face with all my favorite dishes: collard greens (that my daughter will only eat if I make them),  baked mac n cheese ( that my daughter will only eat if her auntie makes them) and black eyed peas (that my husband will eat no matter who makes them).  


So yes, we should enjoy ourselves. Good food, good family and good fellowship are important.  But there should come a moment when we all partake in the actual meaning of Thanksgiving.  


This year my children made gift baskets for the less fortunate.  Yes, they moaned and griped and dragged their feet.  But that should not be a deterrent for them nor us.  Box after box were assembled with a variety of foods to meet the needs of those less fortunate.  I'm ashamed to say that for them this only happens once a year.  What about you?  Do you think this is something we can develop into a habit?  Serving others?  I hope so and it is my plan to not only make this a resolution but to pull my calendar out,  schedule it, and mark it in pen!   


Whether it's assisting in a donation center, building for habitat for humanity or donating clothes and food, this is something that all of us should participate in.  Why? because we could just as easily be on the receiving end.


Be blessed,
Terri Whitmire