Was your Thanksgiving celebration enjoyable? Did you take time to tell your family and friends what they mean to you? Did you thank the Lord for His many blessings?
Or did you quickly shove down some delicious food and then get online for the best deals, or drive to the store? Most retailers were open at some point on Thanksgiving Day.
I am all for retail sales, but stores don't need be open on Thanksgiving and keep their employees from enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with their friends and families.
With online sales, there are very few people involved as it is computers taking the orders, but I still balk at the idea of beginning "Black Friday" on Thanksgiving Thursday. I know that people want to score that fabulous deal on the latest electronics or whatever is on their family's Christmas list, but it should be able to wait.
There are numerous organizations — animal rescue, veterans, homeless and religious — that could desperately use donations at this time of year. Winter is upon us. Why not buy some jackets and warm clothing and donate them for the needy?
Do you have family members that could use some extra help at this time of year with groceries, clothes for their children, or money for utility bills? We all have less fortunate people in our families, church or biological, that can use financial help. Let's use some of our resources to help others, rather than increasing our "stash" of toys.
Most of us don't have unlimited resources, so why not allocate what you can afford to spend for Christmas; some for gifts for the family, and some for those in need. Your church will know who needs help. Ask what supplies or clothes are needed, or contact an organization such as the Salvation Army.
Our neighbors in Mexico Beach, Marianna and Port St. Joe as well as other places are still in need. Find a church group that is feeding them or taking supplies and donate to them. Just make sure it is a reputable group. Look around. The needs are great and funds are limited.
I would like to challenge all of us to share with our family, friends and neighbors who are in need this Christmas season. The Lord loves a cheerful giver (II Corinthians 9:7).
Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Many people, organizations are in need this time of year