The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher

Thanksgiving? Or, the beginning of the “me” season? Steve Foster, former missionary to Uganda for Campus Crusade for Christ and now strategist for winning Uganda to Christ, says Americans are “burdened by our blessings.” Steve's point: if we were not so burdened by our blessings, we could be a lot freer to bless the world.

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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