A Blessing to Be
"And so, as I close this sermon, I want to remind you
that God provides and in doing so makes your life a blessing
to all who know you," the preacher said.
Then one by one the small church emptied and the
parishioners went on about their day.
It was a bright, sunny Sunday morning filled with
possibilities. A visit to the park, dinner at Maddies Diner
and a slow, lazy afternoon sitting in the back yard would
make this day perfect.
The preacher was busy gathering his things and didn't notice
him sitting there. He was about to leave when he thought to
give the church one last glance. There seated in the back
row was John.
"John is that you?" the preacher asked.
He didn't reply.
"John, was my sermon that bad that you slept through it or
are you hanging round for more? I've got plenty more where
that came from!" he said laughing.
John just sat there with his head lowered.
"What you said, doesn't apply to me. Why didn't God make me
a blessing?" he asked.
"What are you saying, John? Why would you think you're not a
blessing?"
"You said that God provides all our needs and in doing so
makes us a blessing to everyone around us," John said.
"Yes, that's right, John. Our faith tells us that God will
provide and when he does, our faith is strengthened. Knowing
that we are being taken care of lifts us so that we can be a
positive example to the world and thus we are a blessing to
all we meet."
"But you know I have nothing. You know I have been
struggling just to get by. I get deeper in debt, lower in
spirit and serve no real purpose," he said now with a broken
tone to his voice.
The preacher was very aware of John's challenges. It had
been a bad year indeed for John and his family. But he was
not alone. The high cost of living and recent factory
closings in this small community had left many broken
spirits.
"John you are right. It's my fault," the preacher said.
John lifted his head and looked at him.
"How is this your fault?"
"In my sermon I forgot to be more specific. I should have
mentioned the "step factor."
"What's that?" John asked.
"Oh, blessings come in steps. There's big blessings like
good health, love and children. There's medium blessings
like work, a house of your own, and such. The most important
are the little blessings. Like getting the last slice of
pie, finding a dollar in your pants pocket you didn't know
you had or waking up early thinking it's Sunday and you have
to be at church, only to discover it's Saturday!" he said
smiling.
"What's all that got to do with me? I don't have a job, I
don't own a house, the stress of it all has given me poor
health. I can't remember the last time my wife baked a pie,
and my pants pockets have holes in them," he said.
The preacher sat down next to John.
"Do you still believe in God, John?"
John mumbled to himself, then said, "Yes, I do."
"Do you remember when you were a kid how you felt just
before your birthday? Do you remember how you felt on
Christmas Eve? Do you remember the first time you saw your
lovely wife? Do you remember when you found out you were
going to have your first child?" the preacher asked with
much enthusiasm.
"Yes, I do."
"Then John, I have great news for you. You are at the very
best part of a blessing. This is Christmas Eve, birthdays,
falling in love, and more all put together. Because you
believe in God John, because I know God's love for you, then
I know that He has great plans for you and I am already
blessed to be a part of this. You, my friend, are a
"Blessing to be."
"What?" John asked.
"You are a blessing to be. You are at that point when God's
love is most appreciated and easily recognized. It is when
we are at our lowest point that miracles begin. It is in the
darkest moments of our life that great things come from
great expectations. Then, now this is the exciting part,
when you begin to see the light, recognize the hand of God
in your life, you will respond in such a powerful way that
you will indeed be a blessing to all around you."
John lifted his head, eyes filled with tears. "I want to be
that blessing."
"You are, my friend, already. Look what you have given me
today. Your staying here this morning strengthened my own
faith and proved to me that the message He laid upon my
heart to share, was indeed the message you needed to hear.
Already, He has begun His work in you."
John stood up and turning toward the preacher said, "Just
look at how God works. I am a blessing to be and you are a
blessing to me."
Down so low all you can see is up? Get ready, my
friend...you are indeed a "Blessing to be!"
Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com