By Just Valerie

During the holidays people tend to reflect on their accomplishments, failures, and the needs of others more. We tend to give and help others that we feel are less fortunate than ourselves and just do the things that we should do year-round nevertheless we really take off the gloves during the holidays. The reasons for giving are various, some give because it’s in their heart, and there are others that give so they can tell others of their good deeds. The latter is rewarded on earth only.

You know, we all can find something to be thankful for. Having a roof over our heads, even if it’s not the roof of our dreams it’s a roof. To have food to eat and to have friends and family that cares about us. If we only have one good friend that’s more than a million fakes ones. We at times take a lot for granted, we for some reason think that we are so good and self religous and opinionated to think ourselves worthy. Some look at a fellow human being going through a hardship as being evil and have done so much wrong that they are being punished for their bad deeds. In most cases that’s not the case.

Every homeless person you see isn’t there because they’ve done wrong, but because they got tired of and just in a lot of cases just stop. The thing about it is we should say to ourselves “only by the grace of God that not go I”.  Instead of trying to evaluate why the hardship has occurred a word of encourage or good gesture to let the people know that this too shall pass just hold on. The thing is sometimes a kind word and a smile go farer than money. You never know at what stage a person is at in their hardship, you could have the power to make or break them.

When giving don’t give with the heart or mind that if you give that you’ll be blessed. If you’re in a position to assist another, you’re already blessed. If you give to be praised for doing what the Bible you suppose to live by teaches you to do, you miss the mark. The words states “what you do unto the least of us you do unto me”.

If God judged some of us like we judge others where do you think we would be?  If you want gratitude for your gift of helping a person in need and praises for doing what is right to do I suggest you don’t give.  To whom much is given much is expected.  It’s been my experience that when you see a person that hits rock bottom, when they come out of it the experience becomes a testimony. Miracles erase issues, today may be for you tomorrow will be for someone else.  Be thankful to have resources for giving. Give because you are already blessed enough to give, and not for praises for doing the right thing. If you give for any other reason except from your heart… well I’m sure you get the message.

To those who give with no memory of the deed, you are blessed and will be blessed the more. To those that give for any other reason your reward is on earth and you probably need to ask for a receipt because that’s all you get.

Happy Thanksgiving to all… In closing I would like to encourage all to make peace with all that you can. Be thankful that someone else want to be in your shoes. Please help a person in need this holiday season, we all know one.