Annie's "Make This A Different Thanksgiving" Page

Is your house a home that is full of the presence of the Lord?

"Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by
knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches."
~Proverbs 24:3-4~

Every year I try to add a new holiday page to each of the holidays. Thanksgiving seemed to be hard for me this year (2001). I have so much covered and we have been through so much this past year as a nation and I didn't know what the Lord wanted me to do. So I waited and listened. This is what I think that the Lord wants us to hear and do this year.

He wants us to make this a DIFFERENT kind of Thanksgiving this year. OK you are probably saying........how can we do that? Let me try to help you.

First as Christians there should be a difference in our lives. People shouldn't have to be told you are a Christian they should SEE a difference in your life. When you open your mouth is kindness the first thing that comes out? Do you have the FRUIT of the Spirit in your life? Are people drawn to you because you have a PEACE that passeth all understanding and a HOPE that is magnetic?

I want to use this page to give you some practical ways to SHOW and EXPRESS your FAITH in the Lord this Thanksgiving. So let's get started. Let's try to have our Church's become like a FIRST century church! One that takes care of ALL the MEMBERS and the COMMUNITY. Let's make sure that no one will be found LACKING when the Lord returns.

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
~Colossians 3:17~

God has given us all different gifts and skills to use for HIS plan and purpose. We are told in the BIBLE that we are to "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by Him". Do you do EVERYTHING as UNTO THE LORD? If you are a hairdresser or a mechanic do you use your skills for the LORD and OTHERS? You don't have to be a TRAINED MISSIONARY to help others or to lead others to the Lord. Your life can and should be an example of your FAITH in the Lord.

One of the Churches that I attended in the past had what is called a "Caring and Sharing" fund. When you needed help you could take and when you had abundance you could give. Another church had a great program that offered FREE Car Care for Seniors and Single Moms and Free Hair Cuts for back to school for kids that couldn't afford it. Many churches have the Stephen Ministry and others have the SHARE program. BUT unfortunately there seem to be some big cracks that people fall threw. People can be lacking in one area and abundant in others. Some may be shut in's that can't drive to the store yet others may need help writing a letter. Our churches don't seem to be organized in a way to check and double check on the needs of the members or attendees.

This year lets make a difference. Look at Ruth and how she GLEANED in the wheat fields of Boaz. If they were hungry there was a way planned for people to find food. They were allowed by law even to gather in the fields after the major harvest had happened. No one went hungry. This year let's work to make sure that NO ONE is left behind or found LACKING when the Lord returns for us. And be assured that as He promised He will return. When he does or when you die and see Him in Heaven will He say to you "WELL DONE THY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!!!!!!!!!?????????" Or will He ask WHY you didn't use your GIFTS AND TALENTS AND ABUNDANCE to SERVE, CARE for and HELP others. Don't let another day go by before you give your LIFE to the LORD and SURRENDER to HIM so that He is indeed the LORD of ALL of your LIFE.

Instead of being a REACTIVE Christian become a PROACTIVE Christian and anticipate the needs of others before they have need.

"If my work seems too small,
Let me quickly recall
That I do what I do
That the world may know You."
~B.J. Hoff~

If you know a single person make sure that they don't spend Thanksgiving alone. Let them become part of your family for that day.
Spend one hour as a family at a shelter or nursing home volunteering.
If you can afford it take a single mother or father to the grocery store and pay for their thanksgiving day groceries.
Pay for a "SHARE" monthly groceries ANONYMOUSLY for a family or two.
Make two of each of the pies you make and give one away to a busy mother or senior that can't bake this year.
Be creative, there are so many ways to use your abundance to help those in need. Your abundance may be that you have a family that loves you and you can even share that with a lonely widow or widower who never had any children of their own. They can become an adopted grandparent for your children for Thanksgiving Day or any day for that matter.
Often it is just a matter of using your organizational skills to check and double check to make sure the NONE will be lacking in your church or neighborhood for the holiday season. Consider starting with your Sunday School class and make sure that each one will have a place to go on Thanksgiving instead of being alone.
Call one of your neighbors and see if they can come over for a piece of pie or have dessert with you this Thanksgiving Day.
Share your abundance of clothes and blankets this year. Gather some extra blankets and even the coat that is a little too small. Maybe bring that extra pair of gloves that you never really liked and take them to a homeless shelter.
Make some sandwiches and cookies and take them to the homeless people in your town.
Get some empty shoe boxes and put a few seasonal treats and treasures along with some Thanksgiving cards in them. Then they can be handed out at the nursing home this Thanksgiving. While you are there you can ask the director if there are any people who might need a visit or some fresh flowers to cheer them up this year.
If you love the tradition of Thanksgiving Football games, that's great. BUT make sure you don't watch them alone. Invite a single person over to watch the game with you. Not everyone will either want to or be able to travel home for the holidays. You can even PRAY for the athletes as you watch the game this year. Also consider praying for that announcers or those in the stadium that are watching the game. I have some football related links on my Annie's Super Bowl Page that you might like to check out now.

"Not money or gifts or material things
But understanding and the joy that it brings
Can change this old world and its selfish ways
And put goodness and mercy back into our days."
~Helen Steiner Rice~

"Today, give someone a piece of your time, wrapped with understanding
and compassion. These are gifts that money can't buy."
~Helen Steiner Rice~

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