“Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’” Acts 3:6

Thanks and Giving!

At times I feel so inadequate to handle the mountain of requirements pressed upon me during the holidays. Sitting here, typing away in my office, just out of the corner of my eye, I can see the new muddle of wrapping paper, cards, bows, nametags, and gifts, all squished into this tiny office/sewing/fly tying/library/thinking…space. (I am supposed to be able to think here, for crying out loud.)

I thought I was ahead of the game, but really, as I look around, the whole town is aflutter with Christmas prep. And me? Well, it looks like a tornado went through. HELP! Why, at this writing, we haven’t even had Thanksgiving yet.

Ah, Thanksgiving, such a peaceful, joyful time. It began to dawn on me today, that the word “Thanksgiving” is really two words—thanks, and giving—two sides of the same coin. It truly is hard to give, if we aren’t thankful. It’s a mindset, and one I have to really watch over in my life. Being unthankful isn’t worth the energy it takes to grumble, and spreads like a slopped-over gravy boat at a holiday dinner. Messy.

One of the main problems I deal with during the holidays is the feeling of “obligation.” You know, we did it this way for the last 500 years, so we have to do it again. But circumstances change, and perhaps someone doesn’t have the resources to do the exact same things as previous years. Or, perhaps our energy levels aren’t the same, and we have to cut back our activities and commitments. Are we destined for coal in our stockings for such umbrage? Oh, I do think Jesus would say, “Be free! Please don’t use this season of thanks and joyful celebration to bind yourself up in a knot!”

In the book of Acts, Peter hit the nail on the head when he honestly said he didn’t have enough money to give to the lame man at the temple gate. Instead he gave what he had—the prayer in the name of Jesus to rise up and walk! Wow! The man took off “…walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:8). Now that’s a gift to remember!

“Dear Jesus, help us be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit as we go into this season of thanks and giving. Show us new ways to reach the hearts of those around us. Let’s leave them with the gift of “walking and leaping and praising God!” Amen! Fill us anew with Your love to share, the most amazing gift of all.”