BLESSINGS

I have been thinking about the word "blessing", lately.  It is a 
common word for people to share with one another.  It usually
describes something unexpected that was a good outcome.  It
is accompanied with a smile on the face of the blessed.  I am
sure there are those today who could share a blessing from the 
past week.

I want to extend this word to mean all things that come from 
our Heavenly Father.  Our Father who knows all about us and
knows what we need in our life.  The One who loves no matter
what we have done or are doing.  God who created us and knows
us on the inside.  

If you agree with me about God then you must realize that He 
only wants what is best for us every day.  Following that thought,
He uses circumstances, people, sickness, heart ache, suffering
and death to bless us.  Yes, that is foreign to the world view
we live in.  Nevertheless, it is true.  He does what is needed to 
bring us to the place we need to be in relationship with Him.

Since my sister and best friend, Bonnie, left for heaven, I am
constantly thanking God for the time we were given.  She and
I were blessed to have each other through whatever life had
for us.  Much of the time it was "enduring hardship like a good
soldier ".  We spent our time praising God for His goodness
and His grace.  He was the center of every conversation.

When we hear people talking about trusting God it seems
so easy.  However, when the reality of living in a sinful world
comes to ourselves or our family it is a different discussion.
We are not exempt from suffering because we are His
children.  In fact, we have Him so we can endure more than
those who have nothing to hold on to.  

So, I guess for me, waking up each morning to serve Him is a
blessing.  Being used to encourage the sick and dying is a 
blessing.  Coming alongside those who need help is a blessing.
Being Jesus to people who have no idea what knowing the
Lord means is a blessing.

When our mind is altered to see things from God's perspective,
we notice the blessings that come from the hard days as well
and the easier days.  That is how people will notice a difference
in us.  That is how our light can shine in this world while we
are here.....no matter what happens.