Receiving the Blessing

What they look like, what form they come in…

Yesterday, the blessing was the reminder that my work schedule is (extremely) flexible.

Today, it’s the click-click sound of the washing machine as it beats out the dirt and other grossness that gets into my clothes, and being able to spend time with Grandma.

She’s in good health and good spirits, by the way.

I don’t anticipate anything happening to her for awhile, and I can’t imagine what the world will be like when she’s gone.

But this morning as I stumbled through the house towards the kitchen in a barely awake stupor, I had another thought entirely about blessings.

It came as a result of a conversation with my mom mid-stupor.

Mom: Were you planning to do laundry today?

Cat: Yes I was.

Mom: Okay. Can you throw in a pair of your brother’s [James’s] shorts? He needs a clean pair for tomorrow.

Cat: Sure, Mom. There should be room for more than one.

Mom: Oh, don’t worry about any more. One pair will be fine.

How often do we do that to other people? Or to God, even?

Cat: God, I need this.

God: I can do that. Let me do this for you, too.

Cat: No, thanks. This one thing is enough.

I completely and totally believe God is loving and generous (in addition to being just and righteous), and that He wants to bless and take care of His kids.

But how many times have we settled for only asking for what we think we need?

How many times have we (unknowingly) blocked God off from giving us more  – or tried to, at any rate?

How many times have I settled and either tried to or succeeded in blocking God from giving me more?

Don’t read this the wrong way and think I’m talking about fancy cars, mansions, and all the money in the world.

I’m talking about things like bills being paid (expected bills or not), food on the table, clothes on our backs and roof over our head-

The times when it looks more like someone giving you $30 and the extra vegetables from their garden when you asked for the rest of the money to pay your phone bill, but not for something more to eat than the cups of ramen sitting in your cupboard.

Blessing? Yes.

Definitely above and beyond expectations.

There are plenty of times I can think of in my life where God has blessed me with more than I originally asked for.

I can also remember some times where I know He could have blessed me, but I didn’t look beyond what my concept of His provision and blessing should be to see what He actually wanted to do.

I want to see Him and His hand in more and more of my life than the places He already is – until I can’t see my hand because it’s completely swallowed up by His. 

This sounds like a good place to start.