Thankful for... the gift of giving

Good morning after glutener's,

Today I woke up and the sun was just beginning to to bleach the darkness of the night.

A few birds called in the distance, but mostly a solid hush hazed the horizon. As if the blanketing dew was saying "Shh... it's okay sleep in."

Well, now I am sipping on a cup of black chai tea, closing my Bible, from my morning devotions, and lay it before me. It has gotten a little brighter out, but a peaceful hush stills lingers in the fog.

I am truly blessed to live where I do--in a home.

I can take comfort and joy from the crisp air, auburn leaves and the ever shorter days. But for some--let's be real, for many--these same things of beauty are the cause of much anguish and turmoil. Who might that be? The homeless, the couple who can't afford to turn the heat on and the child with no shoes or winter coat.

"Two things I ask of You—do not refuse me before I die: 8Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion.9Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God..." - Proverbs chapter 30, verses 7 to 9.

So this year I am thankful for COVID-19. Not for the lost lives but I am thankful that if their time had come, for reasons I cannot begin to understand, that I--and I trust you--were able to wake up to live ourselves. To life life more abundantly, not on abundance of things. Us who were dead to our neighbours and the family unit.

More then ever these are hungry in need of food and shelter and more then ever this year, though I am not making sufficient funds myself, I am going to see that I give and they receive. Because I still have more. I have a home and family.

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not ... care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." - James, chapter 1, verses 26 to 27.

Here (bel0w) are two organizations I trust, and think you can too. Today, thanksgiving day. When the season of giving begins. I am going to give myself the biggest gift, the gift of giving to others. Perhaps thanksgiving has you feeling low this year, due to the pandemic or because this is your first year eating GF and you don't know how to handle the holidays without the nostalgia of the old wheat filled foods. Holidays are the hardest time to stick to a gluten-free diet. If this is your first year eating gluten-free, the best way to make the transition is to take your mind off of your own problems. You are having a struggle at Thanksgiving that you have never experienced before. There is so much food... but so little of it you can eat. But what about those who literally have no food at all to eat? You are blessed. How about passing that blessing along? You know paying it forward?

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Support the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews:

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Support Samaritan's Purse and Donate Where Your Funds and Most Needed: