In Everything Give Thanks

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5: 16-18)”

The holiday season is officially upon us. We are right in the middle of that three-month stretch where hearts actually do sometimes grow three sizes in one day and something almost magical settles in among humanity. Or at least that is one version of the story…

In America it also means crazy shopping frenzies, Christmas carols at Halloween, never enough money to get loved ones all the things they want, people getting trampled for no reason on black Friday, and Target announcing a 9PM open time on thanksgiving day.

What if we could have the best of both scenarios? What if we could really figure out how to rejoice always and in everything give thanks?! Why should we set aside one moment at the thanksgiving table, one day, one month on facebook to celebrate everything we have in this life and rejoice in what is waiting for us in the next? What if we could give more than just commercial things this year…

If you’re an active philanthropist or just a giving person (and I assume if you are here reading the LFM blog, that you are) all of your favorite charities are going to begin asking for your help during this great time of giving. Here is what I hope you keep in mind; gifts are fun and wrapping them and setting them under a gilded tree makes a very pretty scene but maybe, just maybe you can help give people in lands far away gifts that will help them live longer healthier lives and in the process uncover the truth in the verse above by showing love to people who might think there is no one in all the earth that loves or cares about them. Maybe you don’t actually need anything all that new or shiny under the tree this year. What if our lists were full of pleas for others and donations made in our name? I think it would at least result in a few less news worthy Turkey Day trampling horrors for those fifty dollars off coupons…

Check out all of the things Love For Myanmar is doing and the different ways you can support us in your daily life here at www.loveformyanmar.org. We would love to hear from you and share the lives of all the wonderful people we work with! Looking forward to partnering with you, the work is never done and we are thankful for people like you who are invested in the lives of people from Myanmar.