Life doesn’t pause for the holiday season; instead, we must choose joy and gratitude amidst life’s circumstances.

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of Hope Lutheran Church and St. Clair Orthodontics, the Monday before Thanksgiving at Lubbock Impact was busy and exciting as volunteers passed out 200 Thanksgiving meal boxes. These boxes contained a turkey and all the fixings for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal (and dessert to follow).

As we see often at our weekly Community Meal or in our Food Pantry, an opportunity to fill someone’s stomach is also an opportunity to check in on their soul.

As cars lined up to receive their boxes, members of Hope Lutheran Church walked up to each car, offering a friendly “hello” and asking if there was anything they could pray for. Amidst the gratitude for the free thanksgiving meal, there was so much heartache. One participant just lost her mother, another is caring for her sister’s children as her sister and nephew are in a Dallas hospital, and a couple has adult children who are in dangerous situations. These prayers, the heartache and deep sadness were all lifted up to our Heavenly Father.

In so many ways, these Thanksgiving boxes are more than just a meal. For a family that is struggling financially, it is a breath of fresh air knowing they don’t have to add a holiday meal to their list of things to worry about. For those mourning the loss of a loved one, it is a reminder that they are thought of, loved and not alone. For the ones carrying a heavy load this holiday season, it is a weight lifted off.

While the holidays often have a funny way of reminding us of what is missing, during Thanksgiving especially, we can be reminded of all we have to be grateful for. We’re grateful for Hope Lutheran Church, St. Clair Orthodontics and the many others who are always looking for ways to give back to their community. We’re grateful for our volunteers who give so generously of their time to serve a meal, hang clothes, hold a hand or lift up a prayer. We’re grateful for our participants, for their stories, and their beautiful examples of constant gratitude.