Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Autumn/Fall (08/27/09)
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TITLE: Remnant Worship | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ada Nett
09/01/09 -
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“The Lord has been gracious, and made His face to shine upon us” Constance remarked to Pricilla.
Priscilla, gracing Constance a joyous smile, lifted the other basket of grapes and replied, “Indeed we are bountifully blessed.”
Together they walked through the soft autumn afternoon, back to the settlement at Plymouth. In the distance a grazing buck deer lifted it’s head, sniffed the air and in a single bound disappeared into the forest. Along the way Priscilla and Constance passed fields that had until recently been filled with row upon row of ripe plump ears of corn. The storehouses inside the Plymouth settlement were packed to near bursting with the rich golden grain.
As Priscilla and Constance neared the gates, the aroma of fresh-baked cornbread drifted on the breeze. Inside the settlement the women were in a flurry of activity Tomorrow the survivors of the “starving time” and the “sickness” would gather and offer their prayers of thanksgiving to God. The remnant religious rebels later to be known as “The Pilgrims” were few in number. The bitter winter had one by one diminished them until only 53 of the original 102 passengers who had sailed upon the Mayflower remained.
The summer had been bountiful and the settlers were grateful to be alive. This abundant autumn harvest would ensure that the “starving time “ would not eat away their lives as it had last winter.
The outdoor table was sagging under the load of food placed upon it. Dried berries and apples were mixed together in large bowls, creating a colorful and sweet smelling combination. Orange pumpkins were gathered with squash to soon be sliced and stewed with dried beans. Baskets of shelled walnuts and salt-dried fish competed for space on the overflowing table-top.
“There is no room for our baskets,” laughed Constance. “What a delightful bother” replied Pricilla. “Let us find your brother William and ask another table be found for our bounty!” William was splitting wood for the venison pit when they came upon him. He stopped and wiped the sweat from his brow and laid down the axe.
“Will you see to getting another table for food,” Constance asked her brother. William smiled and looked at Priscilla. She blushed but did not turn away. “Here let me take that,” William said, as he reached for Priscilla’s basket. “And I yours ,” said another strong voice. Constance blushed now. Joseph had joined their gathering , and Constance shyly relinquished her heavy basket to him. Together William and Joseph went to find more tables for the food.
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Plymouth settlement was recovering. The survivors had been through the worst. They had no choice. There was no way out of the situation they had found themselves in and together they had gone through the most bleak , harsh and bitter experience of all their lives.
Many of them were bereaved and alone, they had held their last family member in their arms as the fever had raged and drew the life out of their dear one’s bodies. Fearfully the survivors had crept out of the settlement at night to bury their loved ones. Secrecy would keep the hostile Indians from discovering just how few of the settlers remained. The following spring their fears of enemy attack were in fact relieved with the arrival of two of the dreaded natives, Samoset and Squanto. These two were providential in God’s plan to save a remnant of His people.
True to their faith the Pilgrims gathered that fall day to worship. Their authentic faith was demonstrated in their fervent need to worship in spite of their difficulties and losses. Their dreams had not turned out as golden as they had dreamed them on the shores of England. Their empty arms and full graves could attest to that
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The crisp October morning brought a rosy glow to Priscilla and Constance’s cheeks as they carried platters of corn bread to the table. The morning sun peeked between the scarlet leaves of the sugar maple trees and fell across the ground. It was going to be a glorious day in the New World.
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