Thanks + Giving

Since I currently live in Mexico the majority of people here do not celebrate Thanksgiving as it is known in the United States.

Not just a Traditional Thanksgiving Day

Lets take this opportunity to focus on Thanksgiving by breaking it down into Thanks + Giving. Put them both together and we have an even bigger reason to celebrate.

It doesn’t matter in which Country you live, we should always have an attitude of gratitude and Give thanks in all things.

5 Things I’m Thankful For

We should be thankful every day of the year but there is a special emphasis on giving thanks today.

If we have our priorites in order it will help us in everything that we do.

There are 5 prioirities that I am especially thankful for today.

1. My Relationship with Christ

Notice that I siad my relationship not my religion. I know that there are many diffierent religions, I’m talking about communicaticating with Jesus and worshipping God, not just going to church. It isimportant to put God first in everything that we do and then everything esle should fall in line.

2. My Wife and Family

This should be second priority. Many times we tend to put work or service before our family. Next to a relationship with Christ, the day that we marry a person is a life changing event and should be considered very important. Our children shouldn’t have to feel like my job is more important than they are.

3. Quality Friendships

This is where I fall short at times. I would much rather work than to go out with friends. Quality relationships require work and they need to be cultivated.

4. My Work

Finally in 4th position we get to a priority where we spend most of our time. Just because we spend more time at work, at least 40 hours a week for many people, doesn’t mean that it should be top priority. I am thankful for the opportunity to work and to serve others whith my gifts and talents.

5. Freedom and a long list of things associated with it.

There are so many other things to be thankful for such as material possessions, modern conveniences, and even necessities in life such as food and clothing. After thinking about it, if we lack freedom it would be hard to have or enjoy a long list of things associated with freedom. I am thankful that I live in a free country and that I am free.

The Opportunity to Give

Hopefully this recent incident with my daughter Cristi will help stress the importance of giving.

The other day, Mari who is a Tzental Indian girl who lives with us invited us to go to her house. Mari is from a small village located near Tenejapa, Chiapas.

After driving on some rough roads to get to her village we parked the tuck and walked another 15 minutes to get to her house.

When we entered her home we immediately noticed the dirt floors, a place to cook in the middle of the room and chickens running around inside.

Mari is one of 9 children. One of Mari’s sisters, Isabel, began playing with our daughter Cristi.
Cristi’s had her favorite stuffed animal with her. Little Isabel was especially interested in the little doll since she her parents obviously couldn’t afford to get her one like this.

We are trying to teach our daughter the importance of giving. Cristi gave little Isabel her build-a bear. Although the stuffed animal meant a lot to our daughter it was a very special gift for little Isabel.