I have an issue with the word “blessing.” It’s not a big issue, or an issue with the meaning of the word. It’s more that I have an issue with the usage of the word. Or to be more specific, the fact that it is applied to every single tiny thing that ever happens to anyone.
I think this issue springs from living in Mississippi. Where you can be “blessed” if your sweet tea has 2 lemons instead of the 1 you were expecting.
For me, all of these “blessings” killed the meaning of the word for me. I began to think being blessed isn’t all that big of a deal. It really hasn’t been until today (Christmas Eve) in Thailand that I begin to really see what being blessed looks like.
Quick disclaimer, I am INCREDIBLY blessed. I have an amazing and loving family. I received a fantastic education, have more than I could ever need, and the best friends in the world. That’s not what I’m talking about. It’s more how I’ve been able to see how being blessed looks like when you don’t base it around material things.
Since I’ve started the Race I’ve seen the word blessing embodied in actions towards people. I’ve been blessed by the actions of people towards me. God has shown me the true meaning of a blessing in several ways.
Praying for the sick and wounded in the hospital in Quiche, Guatemala.
Building benches for the indigenous churches in San Felix, Panama.
All of the food, love, and appreciation that is poured all over us everywhere we go in Thailand.
Being able to share the Christmas story to Buddhist schools and to young, lost children.
Getting to pray over people as they give their lives to Christ. Just starting their walk with Jesus.
Not to mention that I am within $2,500 of being fully funded, which is a gigantic blessing. Or that I have never once felt like I needed something since I left home. The fact that I get to talk to my family a great deal, and catch them up on the craziness of my life. Getting letters from friends and family for Christmas.
A big blessing for my team and I was receiving all of the amazing letters from my mom’s 7th grade classes. If you guys are reading this, thank you so much! We loved every bit of them. I hope you guys have a Merry Christmas! You’re an awesome bunch of students! (Don’t let mom be too hard on you).
The blessing of seeing a childhood past time realized in Thailand. I’ve been doing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes since I was a kid. I grew up packing them, dropping them off, and never thinking of them again. This past weekend I was able to help hand them out to Thai children. It was amazing to get to see the shoeboxes placed in kids hands. To actually see the point of it all. To bridge the disconnect I always had between the shoebox and point of the shoebox. It was awesome.
The blessing of being able to work and with Pastor Ekachai and his family. He is such an energetic man who is absolutely on fire for God and what He has for Thailand. Having the privilege to do ministry with a person like that is one of the greatest blessings of all.
I’ve been blessed to be a Boundless Freedom Fighter for the past 4 months. I couldn’t imagine spending my time on the Race so far with any other group of people. They’re pretty fantastic.
Heck, not even to mention the amazing little things I’ve gotten to do. Like ride an elephant and swim in the Gulf of Thailand. Or do the Cha Cha Slide and YMCA in front of a school for an “American and Thai culture festival.”
Christmas is a time of blessings. We were all blessed when Jesus was born. We were all given hope. We came to know that everything was going to be ok in the end. We were truly and completely blessed.
Merry Christmas to all reading! I have been blessed too by your wanting to read and hear my stories. As well as your fervent prayer. Thank you so much! I hope you have the best Christmas ever!
Seth
