Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching. What a wonderful time to gather together with family and friends. We spend a few minutes before our Thanksgiving dinner to give thanks for all the Lord has blessed us with, but often it ends there.
The true meaning of Thanksgiving is much more than that – it is also a call to action. We need to remember that the word “Thanksgiving” is composed of two words: “thanks” and “giving”.
We live in the best country in the world, with many opportunities, yet we see need all around us in every direction. All too often, we sit high in our ivory towers and watch the world go by. We don’t even think of stepping out 
of our security and lifting a finger to help those less fortunate.
Remember – there are people out there, many in our own cities, that are without the creature comforts you and I enjoy. Many of them don’t even have the basic necessities.
Words flow from our mouths freely – about how sad it is that people are suffering. Homeless veterans, broken families, abused children, to name a few, but do we actually take that step to make a difference?
You don’t have to travel very far to find needs. There are many places where you can give back in ways that will make huge impacts: There are soup kitchens that need help, homeless shelters and food pantries that are always looking for donations. Gently used coats would definitely be welcomed by those in need. People in nursing homes and veteran’s hospitals would love to have visitors.
P.I.C.C.,Inc.’s latest fundraiser is PICC-A-Blanket for the Homeless. Our goal is to provide simple throws for homeless adults and children across the country. We are thankful for the donations we’ve received so far. It’s NOT too late to donate to this worthy cause.
PICC-A-Blanket for the Homeless
We all know about the First Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims, but there is another fact about Thanksgiving that I did not know:
At the height of the Civil War, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln President officially set aside the last Thursday of November, 
in 1863, “as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.” He made a proclamation entreating all Americans to ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation.” He scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November, and it was celebrated on that day every year until 1939.
President Lincoln was calling on God to heal a bitterly divided country (sound familiar?) and asked the nation to join him. This is sorely needed today.
Like those before us, we have a choice. In life, there will always be things that we can complain about, but there will also be much to be thankful for. As our society becomes more and more secular, the actual “giving of thanks to God” during our annual Thanksgiving holiday is often overlooked, leaving only the feasting and football.
This Thanksgiving, thank God for all he’s provided for you, and then go a step further. Ask the Lord to show you where you can help. Step out in faith to make a difference in someone’s life. The blessings you receive from helping others are bountiful.
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”
Ephesians 5:20
from P.I.C.C. Inc.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article.
Be sure to check out another of my articles: We Need a Little Christmas
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P.I.C.C., Inc. is in the fourth year. We began as a blog and have now become a nonprofit organization. Our Campaign for 2019 is – PHASE IV Growing the Distance. Please consider a gift to support our efforts to continue being A Beacon of Hope to Inspire, Encourage, Inform, and Engage others.
