The Season of Thanks and Giving

Vol. 20 No. 47 | November 26, 2018T

Andy Williams sings, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

But is it really?

The hustle andbustle, that used to be limited to a few days before Christmas, now includesalmost the entire fall season. We dash through the gatherings on ThanksgivingDay, straight to Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Next we become consumed with year-end projects, holiday parties, and buying and wrapping gifts. All of the sudden, we are in the haste of starting a new year.

If we are not careful, we will miss the fact that we truly are in the middle of the season of thanks and giving. This season really could be the most wonderful time…if we actually take the time to make it so.

Let me offer a few suggestions of what I’m going to do to enhance this season of thanks and giving.

Intentionally slow down. Sometimes, when I find myself in hurry mode, this statement comes to mind:

“It is refreshing, and salutary, to study the poise and quietness of Christ. His task and responsibility might well have driven a man out of his mind. But He was never in a hurry, never impressed by numbers, never a slave of the clock.” –  J. B. Phillips

That was not by accident. He intentionally lived that way. I think we can too, if we make an honest effort to slow down.

Consciously and consistently be thankful. Start a new habit of being grateful. Not in some robotic manner of mindlessly saying “Thank you,” but genuinely be grateful and express it. Look for reasons to be thankful. Slow down and look at a sunset, listen to nice music, or reflect on the Scripture you’re reading. Slow down and be present with the person you are with.

Deliberately be generous.If you don’t want to give cash to the woman on the corner, keep a bottleof water in your car and offer her that. If your closet is full of clothes youno longer wear, give them to someone who can. If your children have outgrowntheir clothes or toys, clean them up and give them to someone who will enjoy them.Give yourself to people- your words, your kindness, and your time.

These are three simple and practical ways we can move through this season and end up on the other side feeling good about what we’ve done. Slow down, be thankful and generous. None of the three will automatically happen. We will need to be intentional, conscious, and deliberate about our decisions. If we do these three things, not only will we feel better about ourselves, we will give someone else a reason to be thankful.

Enjoy this season of thanks and giving.  

____________

Chick here to order Until Hope Returns.

When you order, please leave a review.                       

______________

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2018 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Subscribe @ A Norvell Note