Since I am blessed with a number of friends who also happen to be talented authors and bloggers, I thought it was about time I shared some of their work with you. After all, it’s hard to continually come up with new, creative articles on my own.
The following post is by Dawn Manausa, is from her blog, Dawn’s New Day. Check it out if you want to read more of her musings.
A HARVEST OF BLESSINGS, by Dawn Manausa
I have always loved fall. I look forward to wearing blue jeans and cozy sweaters again and watching the leaves change from green to gold and crimson hues. I dig out my Dutch oven and the house fills with the aromas of beef stew and corn chowder simmering on the stove. Most of all though, I begin to anticipate the season of Thanksgiving.
Even as a child, Thanksgiving was one of my favorite holidays. We hosted a huge feast almost every year and our living room was transformed into a dining room with a long, makeshift table stretching from end to end. After I was married, we carried on the same tradition for many years, hosting Thanksgiving in our own home with relatives from both families.
When we moved to Virginia we had no relatives living nearby, yet our Thanksgiving celebrations took on even greater meaning. They were no longer just about the food and family, but more about truly giving thanks. That is because God became the centerpiece of our table, as He had become the center of our lives.
For several years we were blessed to have a lovely couple from our church join us for dinner. Originally from Scotland, he was a retired pastor; she, a full-time pastor’s wife — truly a job in itself. We sat around the dining room table for hours, listening and laughing as they retold stories from their 60+ years together. The candles melted down and the gravy grew cold, but we didn’t want that Thanksgiving meal to end. There was always time for one more joke and one more cup of tea.
I am growing tearful now at the thought of their absence this year. We lost both of these dear friends to illness over the past two years. But the Lord made sure those two empty chairs were filled once again, as we welcomed my mother and brother to our Thanksgiving table. They escaped the unbearably cold and snowy Maine winters and relocated to Virgina two years ago. God is so good!
Remember this:
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Friends, give generously from your heart.
Joyously receive the abundance of God’s love.
Enjoy His harvest of blessings.
Most of all, give thanks with a grateful heart.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
ABOUT DAWN:
I publicly embraced Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior on March 28, 1999 and have been on a fascinating journey with Him ever since.
I have learned that every journey in life is full of twists and turns, potholes and pitfalls, with many detours along the way. Sometimes you even end up back where you started and you have to begin all over again! But amidst all the distractions in life God provides lovely scenery if you only take the time to choose your steps carefully, and let the Him guide your path. At the end of each day, I count my blessings and thank God for the lessons I’ve learned and the people I’ve met.
Although I spent most of my childhood and adult life in Massachusetts, I now live in a rapidly growing suburb of Washington, DC with my husband, daughter, and our beloved kitty, Nicky. I am blessed to work as Office Manager at my church where I am surrounded by friends who have helped me immensely as I continue to grow in faith. I sing in our Sanctuary choir, volunteer with our women’s ministry, and also lead a fitness ministry called “PraiseMoves”. You can learn more by visiting www.praisemoves.com.
In addition to blogging, my hobbies include genealogy, bird watching (especially backyard birds), knitting and cross-stitching. I love to read and travel too.
Have a blessed day!
Dawn