Share the burdens by loving

Everglades sunset

On this twenty-first day of November, I have noticed many “what I’m thankful for” posts and memes on social media. Since November is the month of Thanksgiving, we are reminded of all the things that we sometimes take for granted. It’s encouraging and uplifting to see so many people thoughtfully posting their thanks throughout the month of November.

We are a blessed nation, even in the midst of some of our current circumstances. However, I want to encourage all of you, my friends, that as we express our gratefulness we would be mindful that this is a difficult season for many. As the holidays approach, there are those without family, those who are estranged from their families and those who aren’t feeling too particularly thankful at this time in their life. They’ve lost loved ones, find themselves immersed in financial difficulty, they may be going through a separation or divorce, going through debilitating illness or watching someone they love fade away. You may know someone that just doesn’t have anyone else. This is life, and we see this year-round, but holidays can make these situations particularly painful.

I pray that we make it our business to search out, to find out who these people are in our neighborhoods. My hope is that as part of the demonstration of our thankfulness, we would reach out and somehow provide that feeling of home and comfort to the aged, the lonely and the downcast.

Many of us will bake and decorate, and our homes will smell of cinnamon and spices; we will surround ourselves with family and friends and feel that “thankful” spirit for our fellowship. Let’s spread it around; let’s be mindful of those less fortunate.
We can do this by our prayers and by giving, but it’s also in the simple knock on the door of a shut-in or a hot apple pie delivered to someone who might not be able to see well enough to do all the baking they once enjoyed.

Please feel free to share what your plans are to give back or things that you and your family have done in years past to share the love. If we all just reach one, there would be hundreds of smiles that might not be possible otherwise.

Love, Prayers and Happy November!