Dear Honey Run Friends,
What does Thanksgiving Day mean to you? Is it a joy filled day with family and friends surrounded by too much food? Is it a lonely day missing loved ones who have passed on ahead of you? Is it a workday at the hospital, nursing home, policing the streets, being prepared at the fire station, working at the grocery store, gas station, or restaurant, so the rest of the world can safely enjoy this day of rest and celebration?
From my research somewhere between 7 to 17 countries in the world celebrate some form of Thanksgiving. There are 195 countries in the world so that means if we go with the high number only 9% of the world celebrates Thanksgiving. If we dive into these numbers more, how many of us in the United States of America truly celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a humble heart and knowledge that we live as kings and queens compared to most of the world? We live with so much abundance in this country that it is hard for us to imagine what most of the world is experiencing.
In the Bible, Luke tells us that, To whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48). While we celebrate the wealth and plenty this Thanksgiving Day with our loved ones, I ask you, and I ask me, what are we doing in response to these incredible blessings? Am I sacrificially giving to others? Do I place myself first and then my brothers and sisters in the world? How should I be prioritizing my finances, time, and skills?
I don’t ask these questions to instill guilt. We should not feel guilty for our blessings, but we certainly must look at our heart and challenge ourselves in this time of Thanksgiving to share in our abundance with those in the world who have less. If the roles were reversed, what would you hope for? Would you want your children to have food and safe water, an education, and a safe home? We as individuals cannot fix all the problems or poverty in the world, but we can help an individual. Can you imagine the change that could occur in the world if we all decided to assist just one person? My prayer is that if we are not doing so now, we find a way to start helping others who are in need. This will require some of your time and resources, but I promise you once you start you will want to do more and more each day. Blessing others with your time, talents, and love is the greatest blessing in this life.
Happy Thanksgiving! I pray this day, this month, this year is filled with love, joy, and a heart of giving for each and every one of you.
Your grateful Innkeeper,
Jason
Beautiful letter, Jason. Thank you. I had the opportunity to stay one night at the Inn in August this year, after an 8 year absence, having moved to Montana. But now, living in northern Michigan I’m much closer! I have so many wonderful memories of time spent at the Inn since the early 80’s, when it was brand new. I lived in the Johnstown area at that time. I’ve seen a lot of changes through the years, both there and elsewhere. I’m already looking forward to my next visit, hopefully next summer.
Susan Neilson
Thanks for putting Thanksgiving in perspective for us in America. We often forget how good we have it and should help those elsewhere who don’t have anything close to the lives we have in the US!
Dave
Jason, your thoughts and words are always amazing but especially so this month. It is so easy for us to get caught up in our own little “beehive” of living, and to forget there is so much we can do for others. Thank you for the reminder that we can and should make a difference in other’s lives. Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to all❤️