Blessings

I was driving on the turnpike to pick my daughter up from college.
She was coming home for the weekend.
My husband had the Easy Pass in his car.
Consequently, I had to go through the tollbooth the old fashioned way.

I actually like going through the tollbooth because there is a person at the window.
Not a traffic light that turns green with the words, Thank you.
An actual person who smiles, or not, who talks, or not.
A person who is there.

I was almost at her college, one hour and fifteen minutes after I started my journey.
It was lunchtime and there was hardly anyone on the road.
I drove into the lane designated Cash Only.
A woman was manning the tool booth.

I smiled and said hello and she responded in kind.
I noticed the cute hat she had on her head.
I noticed her huge smile.
I noticed that her nails were groomed expertly.

I like your hat, I said meaning it, and thinking it gave her such personality.
Thank you, she said smiling broadly, so do I.
It’s not part of our uniform, but I got everything else on they want me to wear.
She ran her hands over her outfit as if to show me she had complied.

I have to do SOMETHING to let my personality shine through.
I’m thankful I have this job.
I was born in poverty, and I’m not going back there again.
But I still gotta be me, ya’ know?

Well, you are doing a good job and bringing a little style to it as well.
She smiled from ear to ear.
You have a BLESSED day, she emphasized.
You, as well, I said, smiling as I drove through, glad our lives connected.

I was glad our lives connected.

I was with my younger son who was also home for the weekend.
We were out shopping for a few things.
He, always the gentleman, held the door for me as we walked to his car.
I turned back to say something to him, but he was not there.

He was still at the door holding it for an older woman who was walking out.
How nice, she said grinning.
Not many young men do this anymore, she remarked, referring to the door holding.
I was proud of him, doing the right thing, respecting women, as he should.

He and I walked on and she passed us on the right.
You have a BLESSED day, she said, meaning it.
We both looked at each other and smiled.
It was a blessed day, it really was.

It doesn’t take much to bless someone.
It is often meeting them at their need.
It is often anticipating their need.
It is sometimes telling them a positive thing that seems so random, but is so true.

It is refusing to be a part of the status quo.
It is not being afraid to sincerely compliment another person.
It is letting someone know what they mean to you.
It is going out of your way to make their day.

Blessings.

The funny thing about blessing someone is that it boomerangs.
The blessing that you give away someone ricochets back to you.
It is not your intention.
It just happens.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:3-12)

Blessings.
In Hebrew, they are known as berakoth.
The Beatitudes are filled with them.
The blessings that Jesus talks about turns the world on its head.

Jesus’ blessings seem to be the opposite of what we would expect.
Blessing for those that mourn and for those that are persecuted for righteousness.
Blessing for those who are insulted and those who hunger and thirst.
Rejoice in that; be glad in that?

Yes.
In the Kingdom, the answer is yes.
Whatever the world says, you can be sure Kingdom living says the opposite.
Whatever the world does, you can be sure Kingdom living does the opposite.

That is why Kingdom living is so radically different.
That is why those who do not know Christ do not understand Kingdom living.
That is why we who believe in the Lord Jesus need to hold out a better way.
We need to make the Kingdom visible and make Him known.

Who can you smile at today with that Kingdom smile?
Who can you encourage with those Kingdom words?
Who can you show His love to; who needs it most?
Who needs to know that this world is not all there is?

Someone needs you to be a blessing today.
Someone needs to experience His love through you.
In the littlest way, you can make Him known effectively.
Kingdom living turns the world on its head.

Who needs to be blessed, in Jesus’ name, by you today?

2 responses to “Blessings”

1. I am truly blessed for being able to read your inspirational blogs. Thank you. See you on the 3rd of November.

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   • I am delighted that you are blessed. I am truly humbled that God would choose to use these simple Whispers each day. I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks.
     Regina

     Reply