Welcome to my blog!
As you may know, this week is Thanksgiving for the United States. Having first been celebrated in 1621 after a bountiful harvest by the pilgrims to the 'New World', it was deemed a national holiday by George Washington and officially enshrined as one by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
Having traveled quite a bit over the years, I've come to see how much blessing our country has.
Not only does it have beautiful geography, it is a land that welcomes people from all nations, lives as a republic with inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and allows freedom of worship.
It seems though at times that we easily take for granted all that we have.
When I was twenty I went to Mexico for a short missions trip as part of a church I was attending. It was an eye-opener!
Until you've seen how some people live in other countries, it's easy to forget how much we have.
The 'rich' people there were on one side of the street that we traveled while the destitute and extremely poor were on the other. The poor lived in cardboard and aluminum shacks that leaked when it rained.
I came back with a renewed sense of blessing. I also came back with a stronger desire to help those in need. It's also part of the good news that God shared with us in Proverbs 28:27, New Living Translation: "Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed."
This year I was fortunate enough to be able to share my musical gifts with the homeless. I played at an event called 'Homeless Connect' in January for about an hour. This event is held once a year for the most destitute of individuals in our area who receive needed medical care and physical needs such as coats, gloves, and blankets.
My time to play was for about an hour and I performed while people were eating a hot meal, perhaps the first hot one they've had in months or years. It was a blessing and I'm grateful I got a chance to share with others.
This blog isn't about what I've done, but is an encouragement to be grateful this Thanksgiving.
And if you find someone who doesn't have a place to go for dinner, consider inviting them to your home.
You never know what impact you may have on their life and your own!