Do everything I can

Thanksgiving Day is behind us. Rather than delving into vote recounts, cabinet picks and dictator deaths, though, I opt to remain today on the theme of being thankful as we enter the Christmas season. I encourage each of us to embrace the hope that it brings and the numerous opportunities to reach out to others.

During Thanksgiving, I heard stories of people who sacrificed time with family, food and fellowship to “love on” others who are less fortunate. I am moved, for example, by Cape Girardeau’s Lipke family. Parker Lipke traveled to Swaziland, Africa, for the first time in 2014. At the age of 12, he spent 10 days there, including Thanksgiving, along with his mother, Ashley, and the team from Heart for Africa. The Lipkes’ own hearts were captured, and they have never been the same. In fact, Parker and Ashley have spent the last three Thanksgiving holidays in Africa. So last week while most of us were stuffing our faces with turkey and stuffing, they were putting smiles on children’s faces, delivering gifts to moms and kids and providing food to the needy.

My friend Carthette spent Thanksgiving serving food to veterans in New York and listening to their stories. She took the time to do for others when she could have focused solely on herself. She commented about how rewarding it was to reach out to them and hear what they had to say. I cannot think of anything much more significant than giving back to those who have given so much to us. When Carthette could have chosen to be any number of places partaking of the freedom these veterans secured for her, she decided instead to serve them food and show them how much they are appreciated.

This is the kind of spirit that makes the holidays special, a spirit we need to carry forward into Christmas and beyond. Christmas offers no shortage of opportunities to serve. Toys for Tots, Student Santa, Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly are a few organizations that are committed to service. More information about those efforts can be found at www.semissourian.com/story/2362930.html. Please consider checking out what is available close to you.

One of my favorite Christmas organizations is Samaritan Purse’s Operation Christmas Child. Participants have the honor of filling shoeboxes with toys, books, school supplies and more to be delivered to children in need. I love shopping for these items that will bring squeals of delight to boys and girls. This year, I even included a picture of myself and my mailing address, something OCC recommends as a “special gift.” While the deadline to pack a box has passed, it’s never too late to participate. Visit Operation Christmas Child on Facebook or www.samaritanspurse.org/occ to learn how you may still get involved.

I believe this time of year especially reveals the heart of America. For all our partisanship, imperfections and — some might criticize — pride, we are a generous government. As a nation, we have come to the aid of many. In every crisis, we are expected to do so because we have repeatedly done so. But true generosity is when you — yourself as an individual — reach out to others and do what you can do to be a blessing. One of the mottos that Cape First Church in Cape Girardeau espouses is, “I can’t do everything, but I can do everything I can.” Amen to that! We may wish we could do more but realize we cannot. Doing nothing is not the answer; doing what we can is. It may not seem like much to us, but it’ll be much to a person in need.

The next few weeks will be busy: planning, standing in line, spending. All these things are important. Our families and traditions matter, and they further bond us to those we love most. In the midst of it all, however, I pray we find a moment to breathe — breathe and contemplate how we might touch the lives of those who are less fortunate, who will never pay us back, who may never even see us to thank us. I guarantee it will bring new insight into what is perhaps the most well-known Bible verse: “For God so loved the world, that He gave…”

Adrienne Ross is an author, speaker, columnist, editor, educator and Southeast Missourian editorial board member. Reach her at aross@semissourian.com.