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Stephanie J Thompson

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Gleanings

August 21, 2013 by Stephanie Leave a Comment

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Recently, my daughter took on the job of watering plants for some friends while they were gone. As I helped her over those two weeks, we were blessed by the vibrancy of the colors decorating the yard.  It felt a bit like a haven.  Beautiful landscaping allowed for patches of intricately patterned blooms interwoven with yellows, reds, purples.

In the midst of these blooms, grew vegetables and fruits of assorted shapes, sizes and colors: tomatoes, beans, raspberries, zuchinni.  Due to the diligence on the part of the owners, the fruit of these “vines” radiated life.  It was a far cry from my sad little garden at my home.  The one that every year I pledge to daily nourish so that we can consume and take joy in the fruits of our had work..  Unfortunately, me expectations seem to be too high for this season of my life.  My garden currently consists of one row of bean plants, their poor spines bent over and many erupting weeds.   My daughter pointed out at our friends’ garden, “Mom, you are supposed to stake up the beans!,” as if I didn’t know that.  Oh, I knew it alright. It just didn’t happen.

At least I can enjoy someone else’s garden.  And enjoy it we did!  The vacationers welcomed us to pick anything that was ripe.  What a treat! Cherry tomatoes, regular tomatoes, large Zuchinni (largest I ever saw!), beans and a few raspberries graced our kitchen.  And I mean “Graced.”  As we savored these delicacies, it got me to thinking about the process of gleaning in the Old Testament.  Because our culture is becoming less agricultural, we have a harder time understanding the implications of some of the practices and metaphors told in scripture. Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 24:19-21 flesh out the commandments to the Jews regarding “gleaning.”  In essence, farmers were to leave the unharvested outside corners of their fields for the poor to gather crops. It wasn’t just a task for the farmers; neither was it an act of charity.  Gleaning involved the act of  both parties trusting in God’s provision within a community. It was a public statement of acknowledgement that the Creator is the God of their nation; the God who sustains them.

Receiving our version of “gleanings” reminded me as well that the Creator is my God; the God who sustains me.  This experience was literally a “taste” of a real gleaning but enough to connect with scripture, though written long ago, remains true through all time, all people, and all places.  A I enjoyed our zuchinni cupcakes, tomato covered salads, and green beans, I am reminded that I belong to an ancient community of God’s people.  A community made up of God’s people; through whom He works His blessings. I am left pondering what I can share with others. Probably not produce this year….But something else…time, money, food.  Something that I don’t give up easily; thereby forcing myself to trust that God’s blessings are big enough to sustain all of us.

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When my first child was born 20 plus years ago, I envisioned taking just a few years off from my role as Pastor of Youth and Family. While that didn’t exactly unfold as expected, God used my gifts and skills in other ways. Read More…

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s2thomp

Oh my goodness! I made red lobster biscuits as a l Oh my goodness! I made red lobster biscuits as a loaf! So good!
Lena ( who is vegan) prepared an herbed butter roa Lena ( who is vegan) prepared an herbed butter roasted turkey. We collaborated on vegan side dishes including rolls (amazing!), sauteed green beans with shallots, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and of course dessert. Thankful for her culinary coaching and help today. How is your Thansgiving?
My recent reads. Three female authors who expanded My recent reads. Three female authors who expanded my recognition of the character of God and what it means to belong to the bold sisterhood of image bearers. I long to have their words coursing through my veins at all times.
“Are these good for baking?” asked the man sha “Are these good for baking?” asked the man sharing space in front of the bin of potatoes. I had navigated around the maze of vegetable stands in the produce department of the grocery store on a Saturday afternoon, and arrived here at this moment. As I looked up, he continued, “I’m new to this.”

 I answered his question, my mind reeling with the scenarios playing out in his life right now. He appeared in his 60’s. Did his spouse recently die? Divorce? “Sure. These are what I use. There is another bin over with more,” I replied as I pointed away from where we stood. 

My answer felt inadequate to what was conveyed seconds before. But it is what he needed. Humanity. A recognition that we see and hear each others as companions in this place wrought with both beauty and pain.

As he parted, he thanked me and I remembered: I have encountered this situation before. Another time in a different store, an elderly man asked me where to find an item and commented that he had never done the grocery shopping before. I walked away wishing I could do more than identify an aisle.

These encounters remind me that “we are all walking each other home.” At anytime, any one of us is harboring invisible struggles. None of us is immune to the realities that we live in a place this side of Heaven. 

But we have the opportunity to offer grace and love in the most ordinary of moments. We share out of what has been given to us. It’s not ours to hoard.

Read more: https://stephaniejthompson.com/2020/10/27/seeking-gods-transformation-of-our-interactions-with-others/  #graceupongrace #sacredconnections. #loveyourneighbor
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s2thomp

Oh my goodness! I made red lobster biscuits as a l Oh my goodness! I made red lobster biscuits as a loaf! So good!
Lena ( who is vegan) prepared an herbed butter roa Lena ( who is vegan) prepared an herbed butter roasted turkey. We collaborated on vegan side dishes including rolls (amazing!), sauteed green beans with shallots, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and of course dessert. Thankful for her culinary coaching and help today. How is your Thansgiving?
My recent reads. Three female authors who expanded My recent reads. Three female authors who expanded my recognition of the character of God and what it means to belong to the bold sisterhood of image bearers. I long to have their words coursing through my veins at all times.
“Are these good for baking?” asked the man sha “Are these good for baking?” asked the man sharing space in front of the bin of potatoes. I had navigated around the maze of vegetable stands in the produce department of the grocery store on a Saturday afternoon, and arrived here at this moment. As I looked up, he continued, “I’m new to this.”

 I answered his question, my mind reeling with the scenarios playing out in his life right now. He appeared in his 60’s. Did his spouse recently die? Divorce? “Sure. These are what I use. There is another bin over with more,” I replied as I pointed away from where we stood. 

My answer felt inadequate to what was conveyed seconds before. But it is what he needed. Humanity. A recognition that we see and hear each others as companions in this place wrought with both beauty and pain.

As he parted, he thanked me and I remembered: I have encountered this situation before. Another time in a different store, an elderly man asked me where to find an item and commented that he had never done the grocery shopping before. I walked away wishing I could do more than identify an aisle.

These encounters remind me that “we are all walking each other home.” At anytime, any one of us is harboring invisible struggles. None of us is immune to the realities that we live in a place this side of Heaven. 

But we have the opportunity to offer grace and love in the most ordinary of moments. We share out of what has been given to us. It’s not ours to hoard.

Read more: https://stephaniejthompson.com/2020/10/27/seeking-gods-transformation-of-our-interactions-with-others/  #graceupongrace #sacredconnections. #loveyourneighbor
Follow on Instagram
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Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

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