I am thankful that my need for food, shelter, safety and love are so completely met that if I were to complain about anything I could only end up sounding petty.
A woman recently moved to my city because her car was totaled in an accident and, with no money to replace it, she had to be in a place with a bus system. This occurred shortly after the death of her husband. Far from family and friends, she found a church that had beautiful stained glass windows and started attending, choosing to sit beneath her favorite picture each week. Unbeknownst to her, her mother in law contacted the church and told them that she would be alone for Thanksgiving this year. A member of the church invited her to share their meal.
How many of us have invited complete strangers into our home? How many of us speak to people with stories that differ significantly from our own? So many of us rely on others to do the hard work of serving. We donate money and feel grateful that others have the time to do it. But it does not take time, or even money. It is simply a matter of being open to the needs of the people in our community and not being afraid.
I challenge you today, while you can still remember all you have to be grateful for, to open yourself up to helping a stranger at least once before spring. Anonymous donations won't do. You have to put yourself out there and speak to people. Listen to their story and tell them yours. Give of yourself in a way that cannot be reimbursed on your taxes. I get tired of all these acts of trust and kindness coming from churches. We should be able to do this regardless of our faith or affiliation. We do not need the sanction of an organization to be compassionate members of our community.
Share your stories with me. Just be careful to protect the people in them.
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