Less than two weeks until Christmas! Do you feel ready? Are
you filled with anticipation of what’s to come? Or are you stressed out about shopping
for the picky teenager, an elderly parent, or that family member who already
has everything he needs?
It’s crazy how much focus is put on purchasing large
quantities of gifts—or items that don’t fit budgets. My husband shakes his head
at the number of car commercials, asking if companies really expect people to
buy new SUVs to put under the tree. I worked for a high-end dealership for a
number of years, so I can attest to the fact that people do purchase cars,
attach enormous bows on top, and gift them to family members this time of year.
Don’t get me wrong! We experience a great deal of joy in
finding treasures to put under the Christmas tree for our grandchildren. Who
doesn’t have a big soft spot for their grandkids? But the adults in our family
have gone in a different direction concerning each other and focus more on
spending time together.
Certainly, there are people within our families and
communities who really need tangible items to make their lives easier. If we’re
able to give, it’s important to share what we can. But sometimes, even what we
deem small and insignificant can make a difference in lives. Sometimes . . .
mere words of encouragement when needed the most can feel like a wonderful
present covered with shiny gold paper.
At the
end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished …
It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve
given back.
~ Denzel Washington
I’m grateful for what the writing community has given me.
Through the years, authors have mentored, encouraged, and prayed for me. In
return, I try to give back to others in those same ways. I’ve been able to see
my dreams come to fruition—and it’s my hope that I can watch others experience
the same.
But, what about you? Is there someone in your life who’s
pursuing a dream and could use a little encouragement? A bit of mentoring? Even
a prayer? Is there some way you could help that person get a step closer to
accomplishing desired goals? What a wonderful Christmas gift that might be for
someone struggling.
However, this type of gifting doesn’t have to be associated
with a career. You might know parents who are simply dreaming about the ability
to plan a date night without worrying about finding and paying a good
babysitter. So, how are you with handling a toddler?
Who needs
your words of encouragement today? Who can you help accomplish a dream?
 |
| The Daughters of Riverton |
Take a
trip back to the early 1900s and spend time in the small farming community of
Riverton, Wisconsin, where people find the courage to forgive, pursue their
dreams—and love.
These
full-length novels complete The Daughters of Riverton historical romance series.
Though they follow a time sequence with some characters playing a role in every
story, each book is a stand-alone romance featuring a different couple.
Questions
that can be used for self-reflection or discussion are included at the end of
each story.
Included in this boxed set:
Sarah’s
Smile
Hope’s
Design
Rebecca’s
Song
Dawn
Kinzer is a freelance editor, and her own work has been published
in various devotionals and magazines. She co-hosts and writes for Seriously
Write. Sarah’s Smile is the first book in her historical romance
series The Daughters of Riverton, Hope’s Design is the second, and Rebecca’s
Song completes the trilogy.
A mother
and grandmother, Dawn lives with her husband in the beautiful Pacific
Northwest. Favorite things include dark chocolate, good wine, strong coffee,
the mountains, family time, and Masterpiece Theatre.
You can
connect and learn more about Dawn and her work by visiting these online
sites: Author
Website, Dawn’s Blog, Goodreads, Facebook, Pinterest,
and Instagram.
