Commentary
A Time for Thanks and Giving
by Carol Douglas Lyles
H
ave you ever wondered why so many
people only seem to give during the
holidays? I confess, I have pondered
this for years. I am amazed at how Thanksgiving transforms people, if only temporarily. It is
the event that ushers in the season of giving
to worthy causes for those who otherwise
refuse to lift a finger, much less a helping hand
for the remainder of the year. It somehow
seems a little odd that our sense of philanthropy or “love of humanity” can be turned
on and off like a light switch. As a result, it is
literally feast or famine for those in need. At
Thanksgiving for example, food is in abundance for everyone. Suddenly, the kitchens
are cranked into overdrive to provide a bounty
for the homeless, and those of us who are
blessed with much get to poke our chests out
for doing a good deed. And to a large extent,
the flow of food, blankets, coats and other
items continues through the Christmas holidays. What about the rest of the year? Are
the hunger pains for the homeless lessened in
January or February during the bone-chilling
cold of a harsh winter?
12 HimPower November 2016
For those of us who have been blessed
with having our most basic needs met and
much more, there is a time for “Thanks” and
for “Giving”—and that time is now, it is tomorrow, the day after, the week that follows and
the months that roll into years. In other words,
we should give “Thanks” to God for all that
He has done, is doing and will do in our lives
as often as we have the slightest recall of His
goodness. We should also show our thanks
to Him by “Giving” to Him and to the least
of these in His Kingdom who lack the things
we take for granted. So, this year, when you
bow your head to give thanks at Thanksgiving, remember to ask God to give you a giving
heart and spirit and the provisions to bless His
Kingdom as He has so richly blessed you.
Fortunately for those in need, God does
have servants with giving hearts and hands
throughout the year and next month we will
share a unique way in which you can join
them. (If you are already a giver, this commentary was not about you. It is for those who have
not yet grown where you are in giving.)