For

example: the blessing of a Ford Expedition is burdened by

the $700 monthly payment. The blessing of a four bedroom,

three bath home is burdened by the $1,900 monthly

mortgage. We are under such burdens because of the

blessings we "enjoy." Maybe Thanksgiving 1999

affords us the opportunity to make plans to unburden

ourselves with all our blessings in order that we can

receive the superlative blessing that comes by giving. It

was the founder of our faith who said, "It is more

blessed to give than to receive."

We can't

give a toot, however, because we are so burdened down

with our blessings. What's more, we are so busy making

the money to support our blessing habit that we don't

have time for the important people in our lives: spouses

and children. We are "ships' passing one another in

the fog of the morning showers, a few flakes, and the

last minute drying of jeans. Someone said, "We buy

things we don't need with money we don't have to impress

people we don't like." Far too many of us live in a

stinking rat race. And we are just like the NASCARS,

going around in circles. How? Well, rather than `moving

on up," we may need to move on down.To a more modest

home. Perhaps drive an automobile without all the bells

and whistles. How else? Maybe we need to start some

serious thanksgiving for what we have. Like hot showers.

Who said "hot showers" were a right? Like air

conditioned homes. Who said cool homes in the summer was

a right? Most people living in the warmer climates

neither have hot showers nor cool homes .Like a Kroger or a Publix or a

Winn-Dixie down the street with fresh seafood or aged

meat. How very thankful are we that we can purchase the

Thanksgiving Meal at one stop?

Like

electricity at a flip or four cooking fires on one

surface. Or someone to pick up the garbage weekly for

very little. I wouldn't want to smell everyone's garbage.

The hymn encourages us to count our blessings -name

them one by one. Maybe that's a way out from under our

burden: start naming them and maybe decide we don't need

anymore in order to be a blessing. In fact, Ira B. Wilson

and George S. Schuler put it to a hymn:

Give as

&OEligtwas given to you in your need.

Love as the

Master loved you.

Be to the

helpless a helper indeed, unto your mission be true.

Make me a

blessing, Make me a blessing, Out of my life,

May Jesus

shine. Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,

Make me a

blessing to someone today.

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