“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!”
~ Psalm 103:2-5
Last month I was delighted to spend some much-longed-for time in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, my beloved homeplace. Dave and I welcomed this opportunity to visit with dear cousins, longtime Amish friends, and research consultants. We also worshiped with our Mennonite friends at the Strasburg Mennonite Church, where my own precious grandparents, Omar and Ada Buchwalter, are buried in the historic graveyard.
We stopped in at the Old Candle Barn in the Village of Intercourse, where a scene from my new book, The Christmas House, takes place. I was fortunate to talk with the manager, Melissa Hurst, and even took a picture with her! Now she knows how fond I am of her incredible store.
The next day, while visiting with my Amish friends Rachel and her husband, Sam, and their family at Smucker's Quilts in New Holland, I spotted a handmade quillow on the shelf and immediately purchased it as a surprise birthday present for my sister, Barbara. Rachel's little preschool-age granddaughters—five of them, all dressed in pastel-colored dresses and with their braids wound around their little heads—came out to the store, stood side-by-side in a row, and sang five songs about Jesus for us. Oh, I wish you could have been with me that day! One of the many sweet memories I cherish!
Now . . . you might be wondering: What is a quillow? If you’ve never seen one in an Amish shop or elsewhere, it is simply a lap quilt with a reversible pocket, the fabric placed in such a way as to be folded to fit inside the pocket, which forms a plump pillow. So, quilt or pillow, you can have both. Quite creative, I must say!
Like that Amish quillow, giving gratitude to God offers us so much more than we might expect. It is about more than thankfulness. Gratitude is a form of worship, too, and it builds up our faith while drawing us ever closer to Jesus, making it possible to receive more of His blessings. Prayers of gratitude inspire our mind, enhance our outlook, and fill our heart with joy. Gratitude can turn into a blessing!
This season of Thanksgiving, let us unfold the quillow of gratitude as we worship our heavenly Father, and in so doing receive all that He has for us. Perhaps, far beyond our dearest hopes and wishes.
Blessings abundant!
—Beverly Lewis
1) It touches my heart the way you show up again and again for each of my new book releases, friends. Your enthusiastic response to The Christmas House is inspiring and delightful, and I am so thankful. Here are the retailer links:
Baker Book House (30% off and free US shipping )
2) My sister, Barbara, and I have created a new, handcrafted card to help you spread encouragement and cheer this Thanksgiving—$2.75 each or 5 cards for $12.50. Order yours at: www.amishcheer.com/seasonal
3) What a surprise to see The Christmas House top the ECPA Fiction bestsellers list! Thanks to all of you, and to many who purchased several copies for Christmas gift-giving. You continue to amaze me, dear reader-friends!
