Saying Grace

Our first snow fell over the past weekend and, each day since, a little more has been added. Today, the trees and hedges are wearing white cloaks and looking quite regal. I enjoy this time of the year as it heralds the change that is to come when a new season is upon us. It is a quiet time, a time to reflect and be grateful.

Unfortunately, not everyone enjoys the luxury of feeling gratitude for what they have. Poverty is not a condition one can appreciate, even so there are many who live in dire poverty who still say grace. They are able to retain the spiritual connection to their food despite the hardships they may daily experience. It may well be that it is this spiritual connection that enables them to endure their daily routine and be thankful, not just on Thanksgiving but regularly. I feel, however, that the more desperate the hunt for food becomes, the more difficult it will become to maintain that spiritual connection.

Food is a primary need and there are millions of people worldwide who do not get enough to eat to sustain their lives. It is exceedingly difficult to say grace when you sit down to dinner and the plate is empty. It may be even more difficult, if, when you sit down, you are sitting outside on the curb rather than a table.

We cannot expect people who are living in poverty to be grateful for their poverty. I can say a blessing over my dinner as I prepare it because I know there will be food on my plate tomorrow and the day after and so on. I hope that I would continue to bless whatever food came my way even if it becomes a struggle. I also know that my gratitude will diminish as my food supply does. Why would anyone feel grateful for being cold, hungry and rejected?

So when you sit down to give thanks, be grateful that you have something to be thankful for, and maybe consider that now is a good time to make a vow to help others who have much less. The following organizations assist people who live in poverty:

Food First Seednet

This site also provides anyone interested with an opportunity to take action.

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