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Bread For The Journey

 
Fall has arrived and as this season approaches, I love harvesting the fresh fruits and vegetables from my garden.  I love watching the farmers with their heavy equipment, harvest up their last crops and fill their barns, bunkers and silos. I love watching the little ones crunching leaves under their feet.  Over the past weeks one word has crept into my mind,  'Bountiful'. The word bountiful means 'liberal in bestowing gifts and favors.' 'abundant'   This past week Canada was voted as one of the happiest countries in the world.  I feel  privileged that we can live in a country of plenty.  We may live in a happy country, but many of us know that there are many who go to bed at night with nothing. As I look through my pantry I am reminded that we have a bountiful supply put away for the winter.

Life can be very trying at times.  I know there are children who go to our public schools who are hungry every day.  There are those who's bodies have been wracked with pain.  There are those who have recently lost a loved one.  There are those who do not know where they will sleep tonight.  It's difficult to find something for which they can be thankful.
What's it like for you to experience your second year of unemployment, the decision to downsize or move because of economic stress?  Were you afraid to ask for help?  Were we too busy to offer help, or were we too insensitive?
Can we come alongside someone in the coming months and find something, no matter how small it is to help lighten their load?  Maybe it will help them pause and be thankful.
 
It was quite a touching experience to tour the house of Anne Frank last year in Amsterdam.  We all know the story of Anne Frank, who lived in hiding for over two years fearing discovery.  Even during her difficult times, she quoted,
 "I do not think of all the misery, but of the glory that remains. Go outside into the fields, nature and the sun, go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God. Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself within and without you and be happy."

Proverbs 22: 9 states, "He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor."  (KJV)

Our thoughts for the Thanksgiving season should extend all year long.  Let's extend kindness to those we hold most dear and not neglect those that are in need right now in our own communities.
If you've been blessed with bounty, take that extra step and share it with someone else.  Whatever your position in life, kindness is the most effective and long lasting gift you can give.


16 comments:

  1. Great post! ;)
    Many blessings to you and yours!

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  2. God blessed us with a bountiful harvest from our garden this year. I have canned so much and frozen so much...and we only planted half of what we did last year..our garden is 30'x50'. We did not wait until we got all we wanted before we started sharing with out neighbors and hubby took to work quite a bit of stuff.
    Your post was very touching..brought tears to my eyes.
    Hope you have a really great week!
    Smiles and hugs
    Maxie

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  3. Well said. I love that last sentence: "Whatever your position in life, kindness is the most effective and long lasting gift you can give." That truly is beautiful. Thank you.

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  4. Beautifully written reminder to share our bounty.

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  5. Beautiful indeed. Much love and many blessings
    Love Jeanne

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  6. Thank you Marg - we too are more then blessed with bounty and you have reminded us to be kind and generous!

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  7. This is such a beautifully written devotion leading up to our Thanksgiving week!

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  8. Sharing of our bounty...kindness the gift that lasts. Those are things that matter in life!

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  9. The photos are beautiful, and the words are even better. Good reminder to be thankful for our bounty and truly enjoy it, but also to generously share. Thank you!

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  10. My sainted Mother used to say it is better to give than to receive. I find it hard to receive most anything, just happy to be alive, loved and give love..One will take nothing with him/her when one leaves this terrestrial why be miserly and greedy it is just not what God wanted his people to be..I love to share and help and listen to those most would deem not this and that, but they are from God and because they starve for food, attention and affection are they not any less a human being than others who covet their neighbor and covet this and that, greedy, material possessions are not what (in my opinion) God wanted us to do..love one another as I have loved you is the truth..God's blessings to you as you live in this world of greedy people, you have God in your heart, your recipes and musings tell it each day I read your blog...Love your recipes and love your musings..ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  11. That looks like CANNING!!! Ahhhhh!!! Canning is something I used to love doing as a kid with my grandma... but as I grew older the amount of time it took began to make me less of a fan of canning. That said, I admire those who still go the old fashioned route and can their veggies and fruits for the winter. Looks yummy though!

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  12. So true, Marg. Insightful thoughts... thank you for sharing them !
    And your 'bountiful' supply photographed beautifully !

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  13. I agree with Julie ... and say thank you.

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