Giving Tuesday

“Mummy, why don’t we have Thanksgiving”?

This is a question i have had to answer every year for the past three years.

Having been exposed to Thanksgiving from the movies and shows he sees, my son always longs for Thanksgiving and all that comes with it, just as he sees it on television.

Although I have told him over and again how it isn’t in our tradition to celebrate Thanksgiving, today I find myself wanting to be a part of a Thanksgiving residue event.

The Tuesday following Thanksgiving has become known as Giving Tuesday. It was founded in New York in 2012 with the purpose of touching and changing lives in the community. I have never really been drawn to it, but as I listened to words of Bobby Gruenewald from today’s youversion word of the day, I felt the need to participate in my own way and in my own community.

What totally got me is the fact that my giving must not be financial. I happen to be a huge fan of the gift of Acts of Kindness.

Is this the same for you?

My sister had a suggestion for a non-financial gift, she said, ” Please let’s be generous with our smiles today. I’ve noticed people are smiling less. Country hard!
Most people will feel better when smiled at.
It won’t pay their bills but it will make them feel better for a while. And it’s worth it” .

Is there someone you can give to today? A smile, your time, a word of encouragement, a listening ear, forgiveness, love, a meal.

While we give, let us remember to keep the left hand from knowing what the right is giving and vise versa. Have a happy Giving Tuesday.