Some years ago, groups of members from different churches in our county travelled to Haiti for medical mission trips as well as other groups helping with the building of the churches of Jacmel along with Anse Du Clerce. The time they were there left a lasting impression in their daily lives.
They talked about the tent cities in which thousands of people lived due to the destruction that an earthquake caused that struck Haiti in January 2010. After returning to the home of the trip, our husband Greg was in the local supermarket and said he had seen more food items in the grocery store than he’d experienced in the entire week in Jacmel. The stark contrast felt like an after-shock to the culture.
Pastor Franky Jeune, the mission team’s interpreter in Haiti has been a speaker at many churches across our county. He explains how Haitians must rely on God each day to provide their food as they’ve never had enough to eat for the day.
I was reminded, yet again, the amount I am taking for granted every day. Pastor Franky’s words also brought me back to the prayer of the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us today our daily bread,” (Matthew 6:11). This is something that most Americans don’t have to think about. We’re in the 1% and the rest of the world is are in the 99 percent in terms of having enough food.
It is not uncommon for me to be reminded of the things other people do not have, and to be reminded the reasons I should be grateful for everything I have. Helen Keller once said, “I have often thought that it could be a benefit if every human being was in deafness or blindness just a few days in their first year of adulthood. This will make them more tolerant of the sight and joys of hearing.”
Someone once stated”thank” and “think. “thank” as well as “think” are both derived of the same root. The writer Max Lucado has asked, “Aren’t you thankful that God doesn’t just give you the things you think to be grateful for?”
Ralph Waldo Emerson once observed that if the stars appear only once in a thousand years, think of what a thrilling event it could be. Since they’re visible throughout the night, we seldom take a moment to look.
Perhaps we should think about celebrating all year round by living a life of thanksgiving. Consider making giving thanks a regular aspect of our daily lives. There’s firstly, vertical thanksgiving, which is directed towards God every day, as we consider at the very least one thing we’re thankful to God.
There’s also horizontal thanks to our fellow man. You can say “thank for you” to anyone who will open the entrance for you. The waitress should be praised for serving your meal, then offer your thanking God for supplying the food. When I come across a soldier wearing uniform, I tell him “Thank you for your service to our nation.” When we expand our gratitude, we’re practicing”the “Golden rule” (Matthew 7:12).
“Thanks” It is by far the simplest thing to say an easy word to express your gratitude. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “In normal life, we do not know that we are receiving much greater than what we offer and it’s through gratitude that we can live a life full of riches. .”
— Jan White has compiled a collection of her columnists in her book “Everyday Faith for Daily Life.”
The article ColumN: Celebrate all year round by living the holiday appeared at The Andalusia Star-News.
