Last week, the House of Representatives voted against a three-month extension of unemployment benefits. With the unemployment rate pointed toward 10 percent in Charlotte, this news will likely impact a number of families.

The economic downturn has touched us all in one way or another. Many of us are dealing with or know someone dealing with the loss of a job, a home or both. Whether it is a two-earner household now down to one working member or a sole provider who now finds him or herself without employment or housing, many are standing in need.

The Thanksgiving holiday is just a few days away, which gives us an opportunity to give thanks by helping each other.

Traditionally, our Thanksgiving tables are overflowing with tasty delights -- meats, side dishes, breads and desserts. Following our meal we retreat to our living spaces to watch a movie or the game, and hours later we are either filling our plates again or filling to-go dishes.

Let’s change it up some this year. Rather than having multiple meats, sides and desserts, why not share with someone else. If we prepared only half of what we normally cook, that would still be a plentiful meal. By trimming our Thanksgiving budgets in half, the rest could be applied to a prepaid grocery card to give to someone you know who could use a helping hand. What better way to say, “Thank You, Father” for all that you have done for me.

If the grocery card seems too impersonal, why not invite someone over or cut everything in half and deliver it to that person or family that could benefit from your kindness?

In James 2:14-26, we are reminded that our faith should be accompanied by our works. We must band together at times like these and seek ways to help one another. These are trying times, but by banding together unselfishly, we can help to soften the blow of these meantime situations.
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Tanya Wilson is an inspirational speaker and author living in Charlotte. Friend her on Facebook or email her at tw360You@aol.com.

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