Season of Thanks

I know we are all thankful ever day for our families and friends and our fur babies.  We are also thankful for health and home.  We have so much to be grateful for, because no matter what situation we are in, there is always someone in a worse one.
I thank my Savior every morning for the dawning of another day and I thank Him every night for another day on this earth.  Some are not so fortunate.

I have been reading so many FB posts lately that seem to portray people as so ungrateful.  So many people seem put upon, when they have received a FREE bounty - as it isn't what they 'wanted'!  Others have been talking about how awful and rude people have become, and they feel so dejected by them. 
YES, there are some bad people and rude people in this world - but I think our reaction is MORE important than the rudeness!! 
Lay on the kindness - no matter how hard that is to do.  It surely will change you and your outlook of the day - and perhaps the other person as well.


It seems that so many people seem to forget about those in need until the holiday season is upon them.  People tend to put the hungry, the homeless, the 'less desirable', children - "out of sight, out of mind" for most of the year.
People need food every day, folks need bedding, socks, undies, etc. every day, they need health and beauty items, they NEED KINDNESS every day.
Children need to be able to go to school in a decent outfit (bullying is horrible), a meal to start the day, the security of knowing they have a safe place to return to, something to hug!

I recently read a post on a FB page of our park area neighborhood (this is a few blocks up the road).  They were 'warning' residents that people were sleeping beneath the bridges and in the park shelters.  They had called the police and reported it as well.  I, for the life of me, don't know how they knew this unless they are purposely looking - as all bridges and shelters are secluded from public/road view.
I totally understand their dismay, but then again most of them NEVER do anything to HELP - they just complain.  My response was 'please pray for them' - that was met with much criticism!!!!!!
I say "only by the grace of God" for most of us.

I try to do my part by providing food and funds for the area soup kitchen (right by the park) and we gift socks and blankets often.  I have made up 'survival' bags in the past to be handed out to the area homeless.  Those bags included small size toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, wash cloth, hand towels, hand wipes, razor, etc.   The area church (by the park) has clothing give-aways, and we donate to those.
Any act of kindness is appreciated.

I just hope that each of us can do something to help those less fortunate.  Cold weather seems to make things more prominent in our eyes.
Let all of us be God's angels here on earth.

PLEASE consider donating to a food pantry, soup kitchen, homeless shelter, local school, or children's gifting trees this year. 
Ask your area school if you can donate funds to feed kids who may not have lunch money - many schools have pantries that send food home for the weekends, some schools have a clothing closet, many need donations of school supplies.

We are ALL truly blessed.  We may have hard times - but there is always someone having a harder time.  In my view, money is not what I consider "riches" - it is merely having someone that cares and does.  There are so many blessings far more valuable than money.
           

This is not something everyone has.  Hope and Peace are treasures.

I challenge everyone to do something kind for another human being.
If you are in dire straights financially - give a kind word, a helping hand, a smile - that is FREE.  You have no idea what it could mean to someone.
God bless you all.

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PS - I was late with this post today because of one of our blessings!  Our elderly neighbor stopped by for a visit.  He lost his wife of nearly 50 years this spring, and he was lonely today.  I feel truly blessed that he feels comfortable visiting with us and conversing for several hours.  There is so much to learn from our elders - compassion being the most important.