As we approach “good ol’ turkey day,” we are spending more of our energy appreciating what we have, which spans many categories. We can be thankful for physical objects, our position in school or work, other areas that are important to us — experiences we’ve had over the years, health, wealth, and the list goes on. One of the weightier categories we can be thankful for during Thanksgiving is good people. This understanding that we are not alone and require the help of others is at the foundation of our very being. As we focus on things we’re thankful for, we can also think of ways to give; hence, Giving Tuesday!
My Thanksgiving Reflections
I remember one of my earliest Thanksgiving holidays when I realized I had to thank my mom for even cooking a Thanksgiving dinner. It wasn’t that I didn’t thank her on Mother’s Day when she helped me, or even daily, but it was the understanding that just because of her “mother” position in my life, it did not mean she had to give me a life that surpassed the necessities or requirements of being “good.” Our caregivers are not the only good people we should be thankful for though. As I’m sure, we are all already thinking of someone outside of that role who is fundamental in our lives and whose help we would not be here without like a mentor, chosen family, friend, etc.
!! CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW !!
Support CMHI this Giving Tuesday
Now that we all have that special person(s) in our mind, let’s dive a little deeper. Thanksgiving usually vaguely stops at being grateful. Besides recognizing the good things in your life, there is no call to action to relay reciprocal affection besides spending a few hours or days together in a hopefully joyous environment. CMHI wants to call you to action this Thanksgiving season in tandem with us to reciprocate some of our gratefulness.
As an organization, our growth in the last year has made us truly discern the importance of teamwork and the role of volunteers. And the benefit has not been solely our own. Through the help of this wonderful and growing team, we have reached all over the world and provided knowledge of recourses like ABIDE, located on our Mental Health Resources page, and events like the Mental Health Symposium. So, in the spirit of giving, we ask that you help us reach our Giving Goal on Giving Tuesday.
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”” Acts 20:35
!! CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW !!
Your Role in CMHI
The funds procured help CMHI bring on dedicated interns to work alongside the motivated volunteers and provide more resources and events to the masses. This act of help through donating to our goal parallels the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37. The story revolves around a man being robbed and beaten and at the mercy of a passerby. Eventually, a Samaritan comes to his aid even though he does not know the man. The Samaritan still has business to attend to but is invested in the restoration of the man and provides compensation, in excess, it is believed, to the innkeeper he has left the man with and states he will pay the difference when coming back along the path after his business is concluded.
I find this story resembles our Giving Tuesday goal because we are the innkeeper. Our “inn” is the online community we are building to help restore each wounded individual, and though we will continue to do so no matter the circumstance, we ask you to partake in the journey as the Good Samaritan with a donation.
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’” Luke 10:33-34
As the year ends, we celebrate our last two major holidays: Thanksgiving and Christmas. Have you ever thought about how ironic it is to have a holiday focused on remembering why we should be grateful, followed by a holiday focused on amassing more “stuff”? Not to say that contentment isn’t truly reached during Thanksgiving or that desiring a new killer pair of headphones is destroying the “reason for the season,” but it’s just a small thought to spend a few moments to think about as you make your lists for both holidays as well as the upcoming Giving Tuesday. Thank you in advance for your partnership!
“Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” Deuteronomy 15:10
