light through trees

Reflection

Thanks-Giving

As I sat preparing for this reflection the word Thanks-Giving kept creeping into my mind. It was not Thanksgiving but Thanks-Giving. So, I sat with that so Providence could lead me to what it meant.

As we have reached Thanksgiving Day here in America, there is much to be thankful for. For me, personally, I am thankful for my family, for the food I am able to put on my table, for the home that keeps me warm on these colder fall days. I have a ministry and many wonderful associates that I am thankful for. What are you giving thanks for this Thanksgiving Day?

So, what about the giving part of Thanks-Giving? This led me to thoughts on how I could give back from the many blessings I have been given. I can donate food to my local foodbank (or give to Providence Food Pantry in West Terre Haute).

I can give time to a local food kitchen serving people on Thanksgiving Day with a warm meal, a smile or a friendly conversation. The Christmas kettles will be out soon so I can give as I come and go with my Christmas shopping. I can bake goodies for the sisters’ Christmas Fun at the Woods bake sale.

Our world has so many people in need that we can always find a way to give back. Let us also give blessings to others when we bow our heads this Thanks-Giving day. What will be your giving part of Thanks-Giving this year?

Let me share Thanksgiving Blessings, by John O’Donohue’s To Bless The Space Between US.

Thanksgiving Blessings

In the parched deserts of postmodernity, a blessing can be like the discovery of a fresh well. It would be lovely if we could rediscover our power to bless one another. I believe each of us can bless. When a blessing is invoked, it changes the atmosphere. Some of the plenitude flows into our hearts from the invisible neighborhood of loving kindness. In the light and reverence of blessing, a person or situation becomes illuminated in a completely new way. In a dead wall a new window opens, in dense darkness a path starts to glimmer, and into a broken heart healing falls like morning dew. It is ironic that so often we continue to live like paupers though our inheritance of spirit is so vast. The quiet eternal that dwells in our souls is silent and subtle; in the activity of blessing it emerges to embrace and nurture us. Let us begin to learn how to bless one another. Whenever you give a blessing, a blessing returns to enfold you.

Can we take the time today to bless those in our lives? Can we send a blessing to those we may not know yet? Can we send a blessing to someone with whom we have disagreements?

So, this Thanks-Giving let us give thanks for our blessings and let us bless those in need. Happy Thanks-Giving.

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Debbie Dillow

Debbie Dillow

Providence Associate Debbie Dillow is the Director of the Providence Associate relationship. She is the mother of two grown children and grandmother to four. Debbie holds holds bachelor's and master's degrees in media arts and science from Indiana University and a certificate in applied computer science from Purdue University. She also has a master’s in pastoral theology from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She and her husband, Bob, live in Pittsboro, Indiana.

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3 Comments

  2. Thank you, Debbie! “…a new window opens…a path starts to glimmer…” We do have many ways to give blessings to those we encounter. Happy Thanks-giving to you and yours!

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