We are so spoiled. Americans are so spoiled. We live in a country where we have a ton of resources to do all kinds of amazing things, and what to we spend our money on? Clothes we don’t wear, cars we don’t need, makeup to cover our “imperfections”, and the list goes on and on. It’s all just stuff. Void of meaning.

I had the opportunity to speak to a truly grateful person the other night. While at my favorite late night restaurant, our waiter overheard our group talking about mission trips. He came over to join the conversation and told us his story. He is from Egypt currently in the U.S. to finish medical school to become a surgeon. He told us of the hardships that he faced in his country and how truly thankful he was to be able to be where he is right now. 

He also put things into perspective for us. He mentioned how he had a $100 bill in his pocket. He could not believe that he had it. What made him even more thankful was the thought of those who did not. He mentioned a video he had just recently watched of two Ethiopian children dying. Dying right in front of the man videotaping. Did the man bother to do anything? No. He just stood there taping the entire thing. He said, “How can I not be thankful? Children are dying, while I’m here living with a $100 bill in my pocket. I have to be thankful.”

 Our waiter then began to speak of Americans. Our wastefulness. How we call ourselves “Christians”, but then we go drink and have sex and do things that do not reflect a life dedicated to Jesus. We have so many resources that we are blessed with but instead we live our day-to-day lives complaining that we do not have enough. We want more. But once we get more, we are never fully satisfied let alone thankful.

 I believe that God sent that young man to us that night. As the three of us sat there listening to his story, I felt a gentle nudge inside me. A call to be thankful. A call to be appreciative of what I have. A call to do something greater.

 I cannot express how thankful I am to be here at the Mocha Club. This is my opportunity to start to live a life of being thankful for the abundance I have been blessed with. This opportunity is just a tip of the iceberg however. There is so much more that we can do to better our world and let go of our selfishness.

 I challenge you all to do the same. Whether its joining up with us at the Mocha Club or purchasing a scarf from fashionABLE, do something to let go of yourself. It’s not easy. But the reward is great.