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Day 13~ Food, Shelter, Clothing

Charity sees the need, not the cause.  ~German Proverb

I am thankful that I do not live day to day not knowing how I am going to provide for my children. I am thankful that David and I have taken opportunity and made wise choices in order to make a better life for ourselves and our children. I am thankful that we depend not on ourselves but on God.

We have become callous as a nation. We don’t see it as a duty to help others in need. Many of us do not even see it as a Christian responsibility to help those in need. I have heard many people blaming the poor for their situations. In some cases they are their worst enemy and are the cause of their current situation. Our choices do have a lot to do with how we are able to live. However in other cases the poor had no control over unexpected illness, injury, or being laid off of work.

Through my job and as a foster parent I have seen first hand people living without adequate food, water, clothing, and shelter. It is difficult to watch a child attend school knowing that the only meal they will get is the one they receive at lunch time. It is hard to see children wearing clothing not appropriate for the weather, worn thin, and dirty. It is hard to know that they live in a tent city in the nearby woods and winter is quickly coming.  These kids do not choose to live this way. These children are facing the consequences of choices made by the adults in their lives, or they are living with  life changing events that occurred within the family.

I have lived in poverty, I have over come poverty. When I think of how far David and I have come in the past 20 years I am amazed and thankful to God for his guiding hands of protection. I am also, thankful that God has given me the heart of a giver and I have a desire to help those in need.

I hope that today you will reflect on all the life sustaining resources you have to be thankful for. I also hope that you will find it in your heart to give to others in need. During this holiday season the local food banks in communities across the nation will be short on food, clothing, and other house hold goods. Think about showing love to others by giving to them in their greatest time of need. Also be mindful of what the Bible has to say about helping others:

Matthew 25:35-40~ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36) I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  37) “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38)When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39)When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40)“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
What are you thankful for today?
What will you do to help others today?

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This entry was posted on Sunday, November 13th, 2011 at 7:21 am and is filed under Religion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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