And just like that, Thanksgiving is an afterthought, and Christmas is underway. Time after time, year after year, we move from one tradition, one holiday, and one assignment to the next. We are always planning and doing, moving about from day to day, preparing for the next thing. Each year, many of us do the same things; others, adding to or subtracting from, occasionally. Never one for monotony, I look to add new and fresh ideas to holiday traditions in order to enhance the excitement and try to pique the interest of those I serve, as well as those who are serving alongside me.
As I am typing this entry, I am still reeling from the goodness of God! He showed up and showed out on Thanksgiving Day! To witness a community of people working together to serve a community of people in order that we may all become ONE COMMUNITY is a beautiful thing. It was if I was watching The Kingdom of God beginning to unfold here on earth. Romans 14:17 “For the Kingdom of God is not meat or drink; but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”.
What I’ve realized during this experience, preparing for, and interacting with the community during Thanksgiving, is that I waited too long to do this. The Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner was a success. This feeling of pure joy that I feel from putting my family aside for the first time ever and reaching out to those with possibly a worse situation than me, has given me a sense of peace…knowing that God is pleased. I did not have nearly as many people as I would have hoped, however, it was a huge turnout for a plan that came together in four weeks. Even while the enemy had me under attack, I was able to fulfill my mission. This encourages me to plan early for next year so that it will be an even greater success.
When we work with clear minds and hearts, God enables us to walk with a clear vision and know the purpose He has for our lives. He surrounded me with people who were about doing “GOOD WORK“. I was able to remain calm and “SHOW MY NEW ME FOR 2023“. This was the best Thanksgiving that I have ever experienced, and I was not even with my family (my mom did not come with me, we only left together). I was among like-minded people who wanted to give back, and my heart smiles at the thought. Again, always moving, planning, growing, and changing…I am thinking of what I can do next to build a relationship with those around me. The need to reach as many as I can to let them know that whatever they may be going through, there are possibilities when we focus on our purpose rather than the pain. The peace that I have gained in one year is only through God’s grace. I claimed victory for us last year and I was victorious! Now it’s time to walk with a winner! It is time to say ” IT’S A NEW ME IN 2023″
I am forever thankful for the many who said “YES” to God. I prayed for a hall to hold the event, donations, volunteers and people from the community to allow me the opportunity to show love and serve them. There were many who answered God’s call by coming to volunteer in various capacities. Those who were unable to come weren’t missed because there were so many others willing to step up. When no one was coming in the door at noon at the start of the event, a few of us ventured into the neighborhood street sat 12:15 bringing the residents from the street corners into the hall.
Now that Christmas is right around the corner, I’ve already begun working on my Christmas Project. Dying to be Perfect, is adopting two families; one will be a supporter from my platform, and one will be from the Southwest Baltimore Community where my place of worship is located. I think we will do much of what was done for Thanksgiving (seek donations, etc.). We will request specific donations to be given for the two adopted families and deliver them on Christmas Eve. In addition, because cooking is a labor of love, and groceries are extremely unaffordable for many, a fully prepared Christmas dinner will be delivered with the baskets, The families will only have to warm the food. This too, is in the workings and I am praying that God sees it through to its successful completion.
Holidays are extremely difficult for individuals experiencing loss and other grief, financial distress, failed marriages/relationships, depression, loneliness etc. For as long as I can remember, Christmas has been my favorite holiday. My Christmases as a child were always Big and Bold, Over the Top, with everything I wanted. As a parent, I wasn’t always able to do the same for my children. I remember receiving a Christmas basket from an anonymous donor one year. My husband was laid off from work three weeks before Christmas and I was working part-time. I prepared my Children to expect no gifts due to our financial situation, yet due to the generous spirit of others, that ended up being one of the best Christmases ever. I share my story and experiences because I empathize with the children who go without due to no fault of their own, as well as the guardians who are struggling with the challenges that this cruel world continues to throw their way. The adult struggles often turn into generations of brokenness and unresolved trauma and mental health issues within families, destroying lives…destroying communities.
My grateful heart won’t allow me to forget, and my determination to be a living testament that the Power of God is real, won’t allow me to turn my back on others. I want other Children to experience the types of Christmases that I used to experience; not only the secular side of the holiday, but the spirit of giving, SHOWING our Christianity, and not simply speaking about it. I simply want to use the little I have, mixed with the little others may have to make a lot for someone else. Mark 6:32-44 32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.35By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”37But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”38 “How many loaves do you have?”he asked. “Go and see.”When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”39Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42They all ate and were satisfied.
I believe that if we lead by the example of our service, our children will follow. Everyone donating and collaborating resources is representative of a little becoming much, when we place it in God’s hands. This example is what I compared to the wedding. God simply “making it work when we do our part”. I am simply beyond thankful. My excitement is building as I await the stories that I have to read. Wishing that I could help more than two families, knowing in my heart that each year I will find a way to assist more. I only have four weeks to decide, yet I am confident that God is already working out exactly like every time before. I need to select the family and get their sizes and needed items distributed no later than next week. CHRISTMAS IS IN FOUR WEEKS!!!
Next year we will advertise more. in order to get the word out to a wider range of people. My victories are used to encourage others while manifesting my vision. The people God has placed in my path to assist in my endeavors in uncanny. He has placed people in my path who too, love His people, and in turn, used them to answer my prayers. I am forever Grateful. The food preparation was the most important aspect, and that is not my forte’. I know my place and respectfully stayed in it. When people of God can collaborate and work in harmony to achieve the goal they were purposed for, respectfully and peacefully, it is a beautiful thing. My heart feels that God is pleased. The love and generosity shown during this endeavor will forever be remembered.
Last week, I realized that so often, we change, yet the changes are either only physical or we don’t work hard enough to display the outward change through Christian actions. It took a good friend to make me realize that if I stopped allowing the negative actions of others to trigger me, their actions would have no power. I realize now that They HAD to change, but I NEEDED to change. Taking the fulfilling of my purpose out of the enemy’s hands enabled me to be victorious. In addition, it has made me become more patient with others and immediately set boundaries to protect my peace. I saw the dinner as a different way to reach the people during a time when people can barely afford to purchase food; therefore, doing different in order to meet the needs is always the goal. Refusing to still be in the same bent place, I worked my plan, little by little, daily. Now, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, still euphoric from the appreciation and thanks received from those we served, I plan for Christmas, while showing boldly “MY NEW ME IN 2023”.
Well ahead of where I was in my healing this time last year, I’m excited about my future. I see the life that I have always wanted, unfolding before my eyes. Like anything, however, it involves continuous change and growth. I am open to this change in order for me to fulfill the purpose that God has for me. This change will hold me accountable for bringing others to Christ. It forces me to put my “A NEW YOU IN 2022” into action. The attitude that I normally display to match the attitude of others, I am working to do away with. This will allow more room for positive thoughts. I am not seeking perfection, simply growth. My motto is, and always will be”, “I may not be where God wants me to be, but I’m definitely not where I was”. This can be the same motto for us all. If we continue to be the change we want to see, things will improve one relationship at a time. BE BOLD! let them see “IT’S A NEW ME IN 2023″.
Dani
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