Thanksgiving is just around the corner. This holiday is a fantastic opportunity to slow down and reflect on all of the blessings in your life. I encourage you to start a Thanksgiving list and write down everything for which you are thankful. I’ll get you started: God’s love for each of us, our amazing town, the renovation of the Armory, the kids that come to Joshua House, and HoopsFest! There you go, you are off and running. What else can you identify and thank God for in praise? Psalm 100:4 is a pattern that we should live our lives by, “Enter His gates with Thanksgiving, and His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”

Keeping in mind that for some people, the holidays are not pleasant, what can you do to bless your neighbors or people in your community? For the last 19 years we have provided a Thanksgiving dinner for the community, and it is such a joy seeing friends, family, and newcomers gather together. Last year we served 450 meals, and we expect to do so again this year.

Many times we focus only on ourselves and ask to be blessed, but we have an amazing opportunity to go be a blessing. Ask your pastor or a community leader how you can serve during these holidays, and then go step out of your comfort zone. It is truly amazing how much it will bless your heart when you intentionally reach out and bless someone else.

I want to encourage you today to go be a blessing!

Blessings, and see you soon!

Jim