Accion de Gracias

Thanksgiving is not celebrated on a special day of the year here in El Salvador. Instead, they frequently take days throughout the year to celebrate with an "accion de gracias". Literally, this means an "action of thanks". There are two things about this local tradition that I appreciate.

First, thanksgiving should not be limited to a single day. Ideally, we should wake up every day and give thanks to our creator for the breath of life. For a roof over our heads. For food on the table. For friends and family. For health. For employment. For laughter. For freedom. For so many things that we often take for granted.

Second, thanksgiving is more than a word. It should be a verb - an action in our daily lives. Knowing how much we have been blessed should in turn cause us to desire to bless others with our abundance. It may be a meal for a family that has little. It could be a warm blanket. Taking care of a medical bill for those out of work. Possibly a shoulder to cry on for those in pain. A kind word. A smile and a hug. Simply, to love in word and deed.

In the midst of the cooking and busyness of this day I wanted to thank you. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your support of the work here in El Salvador. Thank you that through your abundance we can provide food and blankets and a shoulder and a smile and a hug and, most importantly, the love of God who sent his only son to die for us.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.  Psalm 28:7