This Season of Hurricanes Actually Offered Us a Blessing
The book of Romans makes an incredibly brash declaration: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). However, what about hurricanes? What good can possibly come from the devastation of a hurricane? Either the Author of the Bible did not anticipate hurricanes or it does not contain the truth we claim it does. Now, wait a minute, perhaps there is a better option. We obviously believe the Bible is truth, so it is up to us to search for the blessings in the time of storms. How sad it is to go through a storm and then miss the blessing. It would be like going through the pains of giving birth and walking away without the baby.
The timing of God is astounding. As we leave hurricane season we are heading into what can be a “Reminder Day or Thanksgiving”. Going from a season where we have seen so much destruction, to a season where we are to give thanks to God for His blessings can be a time of renewing.
At the original Thanksgiving celebration, the participants showed up ready to share from the best they had. They came to the celebration to give, not to receive. They gave because there was an obvious need. The storms of their season had been harsh and their individual cupboards were sparse. With that realization, the local Native Americans arrived with meat, starting a great American tradition of giving and sharing.
Nothing brings out the best in Americans like a catastrophe. In past generations, when a farmer’s barn burned down, the whole town turned out to help rebuild. When they came to build, they arrived with their children. The children were not there to help they were there to observe and learn.
The word “Thanksgiving” encourages us to do two things: be thankful and give. These are two actions that are no longer taught in this culture. If we are not careful, we will raise another generation that is never grateful for what they have and thus never sees the responsibility to give.
As we head into this Thanksgiving season we have a modern day opportunity to teach the next generation about the responsibility of giving (Luke 12:48). The ongoing needs left by the hurricanes provide parents with a great opportunity to train their children to give. Give in a way that trains, as well as, helps those in need.
As a parent, how do you train your child to give? Instead of giving or writing checks in private, let your light so shine. The “light” of this culture is colored gold. People will do endure anything or do anything on national television for money. Our society is teaching the next generation that money buys happiness. It is important for parents to teach their children that money is only a tool used to meet our own needs and the needs of others. By letting the children see their family give money to help others, it opens the way for them see that the real light is Jesus.
One way to begin training children in how to give to help others is at the dinner table. The conversation at the dinner table can begin with “Do you kids want to know why we are sacrificing some of our things and pleasures and giving more than ever before?” “We do it so that we can let the light of Jesus shine in the lives of others.” From this point, parents can encourage conversation about what the family can give up in order to be able to give more in the name of Jesus. This will begin the process of teaching sacrificial giving t our children. Sacrificial giving is Something Americans are suppose to but gives very little.
When we give, it must be in the name of the great Giver Jesus Christ. There are many worthy organizations to give to this time of year; but it is important to give through the Church or a Christian organization.
This Thanksgiving season start by taping a large poster on the refrigerator. Title it “Things We Are Grateful For”. Have a pen handy so people can spend the weeks of November writing down things they are grateful to God for. In my own family, we have had non-family members write things down as they visited our home. “The thanks” part prepares us for the giving part. It is difficult to see why to give before you take time to see how much you have.
It is brilliant isn’t it? The fact that God had us put these two words together—“give thanks” Taking time to give thanks compels us to take time to give sacrificially. Let’s teach a generation to do this so they do not have to learn it the hard way. Everything really does work together for good…but sometimes we have to go through storms to learn this lesson.
Remember to teach that it is not called Thanksgetting!