It is that time of the year when we start looking back at how God has blessed. October seems to be the time of final harvesting as we head into THANKSGIVING. As a teen, Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday. The break from school, the food, and the family were all very important to me. I can almost smell the smoke from the chimneys of the older homes there in the valley. The elderly would often have their wood stoves going in October because we would have snow in November. (The last football game I played in began with snow on the ground.) It seems the older I get, the more precious those days become. I miss the frosty fall mornings, the scarves, and the sweaters. But, I must confess, I think back on those days with fondness because as a teen I wasn’t trying to scrape off my windows because I was headed into work. The realities of adulthood can quickly make you appreciate the Georgia climate. (I don’t even own an ice scraper anymore.)
One thing remains though, and that is the reality of counting my blessings of the past year and doing something to share them with others. My mom and I used to deliver food to people. Sometimes it was helping with gathering fire wood for the winter, but it was always giving back. I want to encourage you to read 2nd Corinthians 9:1-15.
1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Pay special attention to verse eleven. God increases us so we will be a blessing to others so that more people will be thankful to Him
