I am thankful

I am thankful that I have the opportunity to walk into the grocery store, a department store, Target, or Wal-Mart and pick up just about anything I want. Everyone is dealing with financial strain, but I'm grateful that I do not have to worry about whether we have food in the pantry.  I am grateful for my home, my shower, my bed.  All of these things are things that millions of people do without day in and day out.

I viewed a video on a blog earlier today and it was of a homeless man in Texas. He let the photographer photograph him, and then asked if he could sing him a song. The photographer agreed, and made a video of the man singing.  His song talked about being patient with the man on the street.  You don't know his reasoning for being there.  He sang about serving our country in Vietnam, but be patient with him, because now this is his home.  The chorus of his song repeated, "be patient". Think about it, we aren't patient.  We aren't patient with the elderly person ahead of us in line.  We aren't patient with the waitress that has been on her feet for 8 hours, waiting numerous tables.  We aren't patient with the mom that has a cart full of crying, whining kids.  We're a society that wants what we want, and in all reality we don't truly care about the other persons needs. Here's another thought, if a homeless person were to sit by you at the bus stop would you be willing to open up and witness to them?  Even by just saying hello, how are you? Most of the time, we'd turn the other way, pick up our cell phone and act as if they weren't there.  I read something earlier that said, every thing we do is an opportunity to be a witness to God. Everything we do, should glorify Him. As Christians, I think we are lacking. We live in a world that needs compassionate people. People that don't mind helping, or giving up something they have for someone else.  

As I watched the video I thought about this "I am thankful" series that I am doing.  I was very moved by the video and knew that God had intended for me to see it.  A clear reminder to me that I want for nothing, I need nothing, everything I could desire at my fingertips. I don't have to worry about shelter over my head at night, food in my belly, clothes on my back, or being stared at or looked down upon by society.  I am thankful for my husbands job, it allows me to stay home with our children.  I am thankful that our needs are met.  

I am thankful that now I have been reminded to not judge.  Guilty as charged, by no means am I calling the kettle black.  Why is it that we judge people?  As the old saying says, "walk a mile in my shoes..." do we really know what the homeless person on the street has been through, or the confused elderly person, the weeping mother sitting in church, that only comes when things are bad? No, we don't know that person. We don't know why he became homeless or why the elderly person is alone and confused, or if the reason that mother only comes on occasion is because she has been working two or three jobs to keep her family afloat? We can only be accountable for ourselves, and our own actions.  Just because someone does not wear the nicest, most expensive clothes doesn't mean they aren't kind.  Just because someone doesn't have the cleanest appearance doesn't mean they don't deserve a smile, or a simple hello. Sometimes we don't need words to touch someone. Actions speak louder then words... are your actions speaking what you would want them to speak?  Are they the actions God would have?

Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

This holiday season, remember those that are less fortunate.  This season gets very chaotic, because we lose sight of what truly matters.  It's about being thankful, not about eating ridiculous amounts of food.  Remember the family that is without food. It's about the birth of our Saviour, not gifts.  He is the greatest gift, and we've let the gift giving get out of hand. Let's teach our children the true meaning about the gift of life! Take time to make a difference in someone's life this season.  Offer them a meal, a warm cup of coffee, a blanket, a hotel for the night, maybe just a smile, or just offer to listen to them, everyone needs someone to talk to.  

Hope I've not gotten to off topic tonight.  I feel like I did, sorry!  :0

Blessings to you all,