Bless you abundantly
The Christmas tree at our Alexandria home, 2010
“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.” — 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Today, I wish you the abundant joys of the season! I am so grateful for the gift of your presence here.
One year ago today:
This post was first published seven years ago today. The original post, comments and photo are linked, along with two other related posts, below. These links to related posts, and their thumbnail photos, do not appear in the blog feed; they are only visible when viewing the individual posts by clicking on each one. I have no idea why, nor do I know how they choose the related posts. That’s just the way WordPress does things.
- Posted in: Uncategorized
- Tagged: abundance, blessings, celebration, Christmas Tree, generosity, gifts, giving, joy, love, sowing and reaping
Defeat Despair 
Good morning, Julia! I have noticed that Paul was right when he said, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” I’m amazed at how true that seems to be.
Yes, I watched that play out in real time throughout my parents’ lives. They were amazingly generous with their resources even when they didn’t have much, and the more they gave, the more they seemed to have, for as long as I can remember; a continuous upward trajectory. Yet they also continued to live frugally, eating out of their organic garden and my Daddy’s harvested venison (he hunted with a primitive bow, no less) and almost never going to any restaurant or spending money on themselves. They simply didn’t need much in order to feel abundantly blessed and happy. The winners? All those around them who have benefitted from their generosity, but also they themselves, who lived in contentment and wanted for nothing. “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (I Timothy 6:6)
My Daddy also bow hunted. But I still remember when he got a compound bow. I thought it was unfair to the deer. Still probably more fair (“fair” just isn’t the right word) than rifles.
Yes, and hunting with rifles is infinitely more “fair” than anything coming out of a processing plant. My brother first opened my eyes to the inherent difference between hunting an animal on its own turf where it has a 90% chance of winning the context, vs. the truly cruel treatment of cows and other animals in massive processing plants, where they have a zero chance of escaping their fate.
Beautiful post Julia
Thank you, Athira!
My pleasure Julia