Like many of you, I am making preparations to spend time with family, friends,and others on Thanksgiving. I am honored to have this time with everyone; I often reflect on how I can be an encourager during these times. Holidays seem to rapid-fire between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so for me it is always a time of reflection as to how well I’ve done trying to bless others who are in need, instead of blessing myself and others who are fortunate enough to have the things that they need throughout the year.

This time of reflection answers some compelling question for me: Have I lived with a spirit of a thankful life? Will I encourage others through my living to also live a thankful life?

Many years ago I started a ministry to help seniors, families and sick and shut-ins to bless them with a meal on Thanksgiving. The ministry grew, so many adults and youths volunteered to help with the meal. I would get off from work and go to the church to begin preparation for the meals with the volunteers. Then I began to teach others how to do what I did because it is important to pass knowledge on to others; you never know what God has in store.

Recently this practice revealed itself when one of the volunteers told me that they were keeping the Thanksgiving meal alive at another ministry; only to find out recently that there is another volunteer who along with others remembered the satisfaction and joy in the tradition and they are also going to keep the meal alive — that’s Thanks Living!

Throughout the year our congregation and volunteers work with a non-profit organization to provide meals especially in the winter months. Our ministry also has a small food pantry where we are blessed to be able to provide for some of those who are in need. On my job I’ve often been able to share some of the products that we have with those who come in, and the surprise of receiving the gift and not selling is seen all over their faces. The Bible tells us that if we sow sparingly we will reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully we will reap bountifully (2 Cor. 9:6).

When we are Thanks Living, we have the opportunity to sow love, hope, encouragement, peace, forgiveness, humbleness, kindness and so many more attributes that in the end will help us live a life of thankfulness. It would be easy to be overcome by life, but I encourage you to keep on living a thankful life for all of the many blessings God has given. Our prosperity comes from God and when we are able to share what God has given I believe that we can positively say that our Thanks Living is in line with what God desires for our lives.

Romans 1:21 says “For although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him…” Simply put, it is not about us but giving thanks to the one who has made everything possible in our lives. We honor God for His presence and His purpose for our lives. Colossians 3:17 says …”And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Happy Thanks Living every day of your lives!

Pastor Debra (Dee) Ellison is the founder/ teacher and pastor of At The Cross Ministries, 1915-1917 W. Innes St., Suite 103 (Old Weaver Building).   Services are held weekly at 10 a.m. and Bible Study on Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. through telephone conference. For more information, go to www.atcministries1nc.org or call 704.782.0072.