November for the Salvation Army is about Thanksgiving and Bell-ringing and it may be interesting (and perhaps highly subjective) to place these two topics side by side. Is there a commonality? Does one express the other or does the other express something similar? Well, let’s see…….
Thanksgiving may express internal gratitude.
Bell ringing may express external gratitude.
Thanksgiving requires a sense of quiet joy.
Bell ringing requires a sense of active joy (although some of our workers may not seem to be convinced of this concept)..
Thanksgiving calls us to be still and know God……perhaps in silence.
Bell ringing calls us to be active and make God known……..with a joyful noise.
Thanksgiving offers appreciation for what has come to us.
Bell ringing offers appreciation for what can come to others.
Thanksgiving is certainly more than being filled with an elaborate meal.
Bell ringing is certainly more than bringing attention to those who are still hungry.
In the Salvation Army, Thanksgiving helps us to declare that our needs have been met.
In the Salvation Army, Bell ringing helps us to declare that others have needs that are still unmet.
Thanksgiving and Bell Ringing can be so emotional that it’s sometimes painful to watch and yet that’s what November is for many of us in the Salvation Army:
…….emotional and painful…..ineffable and ostentatious.
In pursuit of Active Gratitude,
Major John Carter
Austin Area Commander of
The Salvation Army
