Thanksgiving's Double Blessings

Last week I mentioned double blessings. Let me explain further.  

There are blessings from our guests.

Like the one by a woman in a red Christmas sweater who requested permission to speak. She thanked those who had prepared and served the great meal and then began to sing Silent Night a cappella. Several of us had goose bumps. At the end, the crowd didn't know whether to clap or remain silent after such a beautiful expression of talent.

Or like another woman who asked if she could play our piano as we began cleaning up. She had to get rid of her own piano and missed playing. We said, "Sure." She sat down and her fingers glided over the keys and I can't tell you if it was Bach, Mozart or Chopin, but incredible melodies rang through the fellowship hall. Someone requested Dixie and she joyfully obliged. And never once did she look at a piece of music—all from memory. What a gift!

Or the Norfolk woman who called one Thanksgiving Day and asked if she and her brother could come without a reservation. A couple of hours later, she pushed her brother in a wheel chair from the convalescent center located next to our church. The two enjoyed dinner and the ambiance. When leaving, she expressed her gratitude for the meal, the joyful decorations, and the quality time spent with her brother.

Or the number of homeless people who come. One elderly man walked almost a mile to attend in freezing temperatures. Some of these folks live in the woods and if they're lucky, one of the local hotels. Words fail to describe the look in their eyes and depth of gratitude as their plate is heaped with hot, freshly prepared food.

Those are all true blessings from our guests. We've witnessed these humble and joyous expressions of gratefulness every single year. 

Also there are blessings from our servers.

Like one year at the end of a servant's shift, he smiled and proclaimed, "I'm not leaving. Gonna chain myself right here to the serving line so I can serve longer." His serving time finished, but not his serving heart.

I asked my husband what he loves the most about serving on Thanksgiving Day. He loves the feeling of working in the kitchen with other servers. He loves the smiles on the faces of those serving and our guests.  

Every year my mother greets our guests. She appreciates the love from them as they are welcomed into the warm church. Over and over, she feels blessed by their humble and sincere hearts.  

My step-father will tell you that his favorite thing about Thanksgiving is doing God's work, seeing the delight in the faces of others, and playing a small role in their happiness. 

And for me ….

Amazement at our awesome God. You see, He chose a fertile heart and planted a small seed. Then He provided good deeds to meet all the needs through local businesses, churches, and volunteers. And we step back and watch the double blessings flow—over and over—every year in our small Town of Ashland, VA.

Only the Bread of Life could achieve such results. 

To Him be the Glory.

Living the Garden Life, Tammy Van Gils plants words and sprouts insightful stories blooming with hope. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Word Weavers International, and The Christian Writers Hub. Enjoy a visit to her Authors Facebook Page, Pinterest and Twitter @Tammyvangils. Subscribe to her blog, Writing Hope for the Everblooming Life and enter a monthly drawing for a free book. She's honored to be a Contributor to When Nature Sings Devotion Book, Worthy Publishing Group Dec 2016 and to be a  guest blogger for Guideposts- A Military Mom Struggles With God's Will, Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference - Are you a Warrior Writer? And How to Grow into an Outstanding Word Showing Writer.