November 28

Written by Bill Grandi on November 28th, 2022

Thanksgiving 2022 is now history.  That is true if you only see thanksgiving as a one-day-a-year event. However, if you see thanksgiving-thankfulness-as part of your life as a follower of Jesus, then it is not over by any stretch.

The church I pastor has served a Thanksgiving meal to the community for years. I’m not exactly sure when we started it (I do remember the two ladies I asked to lead it), but except for 2020, we have offered it to the community. This past Thanksgiving was no exception.

We served, delivered, and did curbside meals for about 120 people this year. I say “about” because I’m in charge of deliveries and will sometimes miss people who come in to eat.

I’ve thought about this some. It takes a gang of people to pull something like this off: the initial set up team (five ladies who knocked it out of the park); the ones who cooked the food and brought it to the location; the ones who served; the ones who put the delivery meals together; the clean up crew; so many others. Why?

Here are my thoughts: you can choose to do something because you have/feel obligated to or you can do something because you cannot not do it.  Guilt vs want to. The latter is much more satisfying. I’m thinking of Paul’s words when he says, “The love of Christ compels me.” How much more satisfying it is to serve, to do, because your motivation is the love of Christ.

Christmas is just around the corner. Once again, we will be challenged to do for others. Ask yourself this question: “Why do I want to do this?” There is much greater joy and satisfaction because we want to than because we feel obligated to.

Your thoughts?

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan S. says:

    I have been blessed to be a part of this outreach in past years… truly a great thing. When done out of obligation or guilt, the satisfaction is quickly stolen, the joy is lost. When done out of a desire to serve and to love… blessings abound. Thanks to all for continuing a great tradition within the community.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      You have picked up well what I was trying to say Ryan. I am glad we have been able to continue the tradition and the people seem to be behind it.

  2. The satisfaction that comes to us when we willingly serve others in the name of Jesus can’t be topped, Bill! I’m so glad your church does this Thanksgiving meal each year for your community.
    And guess what? After the craziness of last week, your post showed up in my inbox just like it used to! I will go to your web page to see if anything is new on Cycleguy.
    Blessings!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Thanks for being so faithful to read and comment Martha. I can tell you right now there is nothing new at the moment. I am trying to rethink my approach to blogging and whether I can incorporate both into one. Stay tuned! 🙂

  3. gail says:

    I enjoying being a part of any of our service projects. It is certainly a blessing to me to show others the love that Christ has extended to me, and the love Christ wants to share with the community. Pastor Steck use to say, “God doesn’t use people to get work done, He uses work to get people done.” Whenever I serve I think of him, and how happy he is in heaven now. I ask the Lord what lesson do you have for me, please help me to not miss Your lesson.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Hi Gail! That is such an important prayer to pray. What a difference we would all make if we took that prayer and made it “ours.”