Be The Reason Someone Gives Thanks

The calendar has reached the time of year when it’s time to take stock of our lives and find all the things we have that we didn’t realize we had. We find all the reasons to give thanks. It’s also a time of the year that can be awfully depressing for some people.

Those with good healthy lives are grateful for families and homes and jobs. They are grateful for food on the table and warm shelter from the cold. But what about those people who have found themselves in hard times? What can they be thankful for?

I’m one of the lucky ones who can say I have healthy food on my table and warm blanket on my bed when it’s time to lay down my head. I take this for granted most of the time until this time of year comes around. Then the inevitable question arises: What are YOU thankful for?

After the holiday season is over, I tend to forget again how blessed I am.  There is no frequent reminder. After the new year rolls in, it’s life as usual again. I complain about getting up for work and the pains involved with going to work. Instead I should be thankful I have a job to go to that pays the bills.

The air is so cold as I crawl out from my electric blanket to start my day. I shriek and shiver and try to hide back under the blankets for a few more moments of comfort. How grateful I must be to have such a warm nest to sleep in. The morning coffee takes too long to perk when I want my morning wake-up java. Instead of grumbling, I should be grateful I have coffee to wake me up.

The shower blows cold water for the first couple seconds and I curse at the jolt as it attacks my vulnerability. Yet, how thankful I am for running water and the ability to take a shower. As I take a bite of my dinner, I mention that it tastes a bit too salty for my preference. How many people would be happy to have that little bit of salty morsel for their own?

There are so many people out in the cold this season who have no warm shelter from the cold. Running water and warm food are dreams. Do they have anything to be thankful for?

Life. It’s something we can all be thankful for. As long as we are alive and breathing there is always a chance to change our lives around. To breathe is to live. Life is what we make of it.

That being said, perhaps WE can be the reason some of these people are thankful. You don’t have to actually know someone in need to help someone in need. If there aren’t programs already available, find a way to start one. If you have the ability to give someone that little leg up that they need to get started, then do it! Sometimes it’s the littlest effort that we make which can change an entire life around.

What are some good ways to be the reason someone is thankful this season?