Blessings are all around us, if only we’ll look. Everyday things that we see as so commonplace are actually evidence of our Creator’s love and care for us. Today, I’m going to explore just a few of those blessings.
I live on an acre lot. My backyard is large and fenced in. It’s a lovely retreat on a hot Summer day. We have a small porch/patio where we have our freezer, our grill, a few odds and ins, and a chair. Even when it’s raining, and it often is in hot Southern Summers, I love to retreat there and pray. While looking at the beauty that is God’s creation–the many trees both on our lot and surrounding us, the gorgeous deep blue sky, our garden, the flowers, even the occasional dandelion (which, if you don’t know, are amazing plants; look it up), I can’t help but worship the Creator of such beauty.
I’m sitting here writing, having a cup of coffee, listening to my daughter in the other room teaching a little girl English via Zoom. The little girl is blessed by my daughter’s sunny personality and her knowledge of her subject. My daughter is blessed by having a student who loves learning. This morning I’ve been corresponding with people whom I love as brothers and sisters in Christ. One day, though personally I know them not now, I’ll worship with them face-to-face. Meanwhile, they bless me with their kindness, wisdom, and wit. The internet, which has brought so many bad things with it, has allowed both of these blessings.
My dog is laying on the couch with me. Her mama was found as a stray, heavily pregnant, and was taken in. This dog that I love so much came so close to being born on the street and probably dying an early death. Instead she made her way to me because my son knew the guy who took the mama in. He offered my son Keenan a puppy and Keenan happily took it. Today this “puppy” is eight years old and my sleeping buddy. Part chihuahua (her mama was a chihuahua), she’s sometimes a bit foul-tempered but even in that, she’s lovable. She’s not nearly as fierce as she wants to believe she is and she’s a huge blessing to me.
Blessings are often overlooked by us because we’re looking for large, amazing, and out-of-the-ordinary events. But most blessings are actually small, ordinary occurrences and events that we are tempted to overlook.
Having a family to go home to is a blessing. Someone to pray for us, a friend who loves us warts and all, a loving pet, a gift of rocks or leaves from your toddler, a beautiful sunrise, a glorious flower, a homecooked meal, the ability to make the money we need to support ourselves, a hot cup of coffee in the morning or a warm cup of tea at night–these are all blessings beyond compare. Even difficulties can be blessings in disguise if they cause us to lean on the Lord more.
Our Lord never ceases to pour out His blessings on us. His mercies, Scripture says, are new every morning. Let us praise Him with thankful hearts.
Have a blessed day, sister.
Soli Deo Gloria!
