Are You Thankful ?

Are you thankful? We in America have much to be thankful for even if we are experiencing tough times. Did you attend church last Sunday? Be thankful that you could be there.  There was no need to fear being found out and enduring the negative consequences the government placed upon you. We can go to church freely and not worry about what will happen. Churches are fearful in many places worldwide.

Do you have water to drink? Be thankful for the opportunity to drink as much as you want. How about using water for bathing, cleaning things, watering plants, fun or sports? Most of us have access to as much clean healthy water as we desire. In Michigan we take it as a matter of course that there will always be plenty of good water available to us. Not so in many places in the world. Water is scarce. Water is contaminated. Water is precious. Perhaps we should think about that as we generously use our water resources.

Are you hungry? Probably not. At least not really desperately hungry. We live in a land of plenty. Even those with limited funds can usually find a source of help. Soup kitchens and food pantries abound because people care about others. Imagine living where there is no one who has enough to share. If you have no food no one can or is willing to supply you with any. With our full stores it is hard to comprehend what that would be like. Be thankful for more food than your family can eat. Think about sharing some of it with others not so fortunate.

What else are you thankful for? I am confident that you could make quite a long list. We are blessed to live where need is something that can easily be taken care of. Out of that thankfulness we give to MCC and the Northern Michigan Relief Sale. As you focus on thanking God this winter season, also think how you can help those who have little to be thankful about. How can you be involved in providing for their needs? We are thankful for all those who contribute to the work of Mennonite Central Committee around the world.