When I was younger, I remember Sunday dinners where several of my uncles would frequently join us at the dinner table. My mom graciously opened her house and heart to serveĀ her single brothers with a home cooked meal. The food that was prepared was a Sunday meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans (fresh from a garden), rolls, and some fabulous dessert. Our usual Monday through Friday fare did not compare to the bounty that graced the table on Sundays.
My mom was generous in spirit. She opened her kitchen to lovingly prepareĀ for the upcoming dinner. She opened her heart to make sure her brothers were well fed and surrounded by family. She gave the gift of time in her role as hostess. chef and loving sister.
My first lessons of generosity were modeled by my mom. The giving of self and that little something extra to bless someone with were huge examples to me of a generous heart. It all started with an extra scoop of ice cream or another piece of bread so my uncle could come out even with what was left on his plate. One extra serving in the eyes of a young girl turned into a life long lesson of a generous heart.
10 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. 11 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.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lordās people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-12
Being generous gives someone that little extra serving they need whether it is time, love, services, money, etc. God’s Word tells us that sharing that little something extra with others is also an expression of your thanks to God for His blessings!
[Tweet “A generous heart freely gives as an act of worship to God.”]
What areĀ your Thanksgiving blessings and how will you share your bounty today? What is the little extra serving you have to give today?
With generous hearts and all our love, we freely let it go and lift our thanks to God!
In thanks and praise, I lift all of you friends in prayer to God this Thanksgiving week! You are some of my greatest blessings!
Much love,
Mary
Blessed to be linking with:
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I was blessed to have been able to serve my husband’s family and mine (16 total). I cooked the turkey, mashed potatoes and dressing. We had a great time and it was just nice to be together.
So thankful that you opened your house to your family and that you were able to prepare such a feast. I also had family surrounding me and loved the joy that was present. Blessings!
I’m being blessed by my daughter and son-in-law as they prepare and host their first Thanksgiving dinner :). I made the stuffing and let them do the rest–what a joy it is to see them having fun in the kitchen and roasting their first turkey and preparing their first big meal for a holiday!
What a blessing! I hope the meal and family time was wonderful. I am trying to be a good steward of my mom’s gifts as a hostess and open my house to family each holiday. Blessed you stopped by!
Hi Mary! Your mom and house sounds so much like my in-laws. They were both Italian, and cooked and baked up a storm for the family. Not only Thanksgiving, but every Sunday. And it seemed effortless, even though I know it was a lot of work.
I pray that I will offer my hospitality to my sister, niece and daughter’s family. And do it with a joyful heart. Just like your family š
May God bless your table and your efforts on this Thanksgiving day, and bless you with his peace and joy.
Ceil
I pray for blessings at your table this year too. The sharing of a meal becomes so much more when love and generosity is also shared. Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family!
I love thinking about generosity as “extra servings.” Such a practical application. Happy Thanksgiving to you and thanks for linking up with Three Word Wednesday.
I appreciate the warm welcome into your writing home, Kristen! Who doesn’t want an extra serving of all the good stuff? Our extras should become blessings for others so they can experience generosity. Have a beautiful Thanksgiving!
I am the receiver of the blessing this Thanksgiving. Usually I served family and friends every year, even 35 people one year in Malaysia. This year, as we are on the road, we accepted an invitation from friends in Houston to have dinner with them. We are so happy that they thought of us. It was going to be a lonely Thanksgiving, and now we will be blessed in their home. God is good.
What a blessing to share a meal with friends! I pray your Thanksgiving is joyous and a time to remember God’s blessings! Love you and miss you!
This past Sunday we had a couple from church over for dinner. It’s a couple that took me out for dinner once a month while my husband was gone. Having them in our home to serve them as a way to say thank you for they had done for us was such a blessing. We had such a lovely evening together. My heart was full. Opening our doors is something we want to do more of . . . there are so many friends we want to express our gratitude to. Wish you could come over for dinner! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Mary. Much love. xoxo
I would love to come over for dinner! In the meantime, I love that you are blessing others by opening your home to them. My mom was very good at it and I hope to become better at it. Thanksgiving love and blessings!
I don’t have to look too far to see His hand of mercy. Blessings overwhelm, even in the storms of life. Thanks for this lovely Thanksgiving post of gratitude, my friend. For I am deeply grateful that He caused our paths to cross this year …
Hugs.
God is so good and He shows me time and time again. I was blessed with a gorgeous sunset and it was such a treat after a very challenging day. I am blessed by your friendship even if virtually right now. Praying for you and your family that your Thanksgiving is a reminder of God’s generosity. Much love!