“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 9:8
People often ask if I love Florida, knowing that like most people here, we’ve come from someplace else. I always respond with a resounding “yes”. What’s not to love about this rare and beautiful church community that embraces all? What’s not to love about living in the tropics, enjoying luscious fruits we never enjoyed as children? Northerners count on apples and bananas to see us through the long winters. If we were lucky as children, someone sent us grapefruit and oranges in wooden crates stamped Indian River, Florida, for Christmas. We kids couldn’t imagine such a place.
Yes, I do love Florida, most of the time. Yet this morning I stopped at a local grocer to pick up something for lunch, and there at the cash register for under $5.00 was box of memories. The maple leaf cookies with the creamy maple filling flew into my shopping cart, a tumble of smells and images close behind. For a moment it is Maine in October, the morning dew glistens off pumpkins that litter the lawn. Someone cracks a front door, loosing the smell of wood smoke that wafts across piles and piles of russet-red leaves.
Where there’s maple leaf cookies, there’s bound to be hot chocolate and apple cider donuts, and the camaraderie of L.L. Bean clad neighbors chatting over steaming cups of coffee on the lane. Given half a chance, their dogs make a break for it, frolicking in yesterday’s labor of hoe and rake. No matter, it has to be done again today, anyway.
Clearly God blesses us all so very abundantly, with dragon fruit and pumpkin, with pineapple and Stonewall kitchen jam. Wherever you are, on your way home, up north, out west or across the lane, give thanks to God for the extraordinary blessings of the now, of wherever you may be.
Prayer: Thank you God, for the extravagant blessings of this day, and for your rich and abundant harvest of life. Amen
God’s grace, mercy and peace be with you,
Rev. Dr. Anna V. Copeland
Senior Minister, The Community Church of Vero Beach, Florida
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