Thanksgiving is the holiday just about everyone can agree on, and why not? After all, everyone has something they can be thankful for, particularly in the United States.
As adults, we forget to appreciate all of our blessings. We curse the car when we have to make an expensive repair, forgetting all the miles it drove us to thousands of destinations.
A saying we have in our house is: “To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). This is from the Parable of the Faithful Servant, but I believe it applies to all of us. If we have been blessed, it is not just for our own benefit, but also for the benefit of others, particularly those who have not been blessed as much.
So, here’s the point. Thanksgiving is next week. And while it will likely be a time of celebration, love and excess for you, it will be significantly harder for those who no longer have a family, have lost their job and/or don’t have enough to eat. Take some time to do something for the people in your community who are generally ignored and neglected. For example, earlier this month we held a food drive in our office to benefit the Twin Valley Food Pantry.
Another suggestion is that you could bring a Thanksgiving dinner to a family that is living on the edge. It should put you in a place where you are caring for people who have nothing to give you but their appreciation.
If possible, do this before Thanksgiving. Suggest your family and friends get involved as well. If you have a teenager, who at times may be ungrateful, make them do it with you. It will help you build a better relationship and open their eyes. Then, on Thanksgiving, share your experience with everyone as you gather around the table to give thanks. Let those who did not get involved wish they had.
At the end of our lives, all of our “stuff” will go to someone else (or be thrown away by relatives who don’t appreciate it and can’t get anyone to buy it.) What we do for others will live on. What we do with a pure heart will have the greatest impact. Make an impact on others and let them make an impact on you.
Dr. Leo McCormick is a chiropractor with McCormick Chiropractic. Their offices are located at 83 West Main Street, Elverson (610-286-7000) and 92 Kemp Road, Pottstown (610-705-0201).
