As we approach the Thanksgiving week here in the United States, I am mindful that there are those who suffer around the world, and not just in other countries but in our own communities. The Lord asks us to be His hands to relieve those who experience setback, challenges, or trial.

As you go through this week, will you reach out to those around you? Smile into the eyes of your children, or if you have no children, into the eyes of another child in your midst. Perhaps you can take those who matter most into your arms and spend a few quiet moments with them. Peace can be found when we set aside our own worries and try to lift someone we know...or don't know. We can even smile at the stranger who is the clerk in the grocery store line! :0)

Whether this Thanksgiving finds you in perfect health or not, in great financial circumstances or not, in happy settings or difficult ones, know that the Lord is mindful of you. And that one of the best ways to connect with Him is to connect with those He loves by helping them.

May He greatly bless you and yours during this upcoming holiday, especially as you keep the following in mind from Matthew 25:

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his aright hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (See Matthew 25)