May 13, 2005

[Rev. Doc]

Looking To Be A Blessing

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you."
Psalm 118:26

"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!"

Prayer: Regardless of what you are going through, ask God to use it to bless those around you.

"God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty."
~Peter Marshall