Blessed to be a Blessing

There are stories of God’s faithfulness all around us. Pay attention and you will hear testimonies of His goodness and stories of His love. Just look, listen, and lean in. God is in the details of our lives. Last month, I wrote about how Love Is in the Details (if you haven’t read that one yet, I encourage you to do so). You will be reminded that the God of the universe sees you, knows you and loves you. He is graciously working in the details of your life.

I believe that we are blessed to be a blessing. I also believe that we are blessed when we hear testimonies of God’s faithfulness and goodness. That is what I would like to share with you today.

We are in a season right now where the holiday momentum is quickly accelerating. Christmas decorations have been on store shelves since September and every year, it seems like    Thanksgiving gets hijacked by Santa. Time is flying like the reindeer and Christmas appears to be right around the corner. Is anyone else beginning to feel the pressure of the holiday season? Well, let’s take a minute right now to pause and take a deep breath.

I love stories of God’s faithfulness and provision, especially when He works in mysterious ways. I also love how God orchestrates His blessings through seemingly “unconnected” people. He knows us! He recognizes our needs and finds ways to bless us. Let me give you two examples through my friends, Kim and Jonna.

#1 - Last week, my friend Kim texted me this message: Good morning! Random question for you. Do you have any idea where we could donate a like-new crib, mattress, and sheets? We were hoping to find someone who could really use it.

To which I replied: Good morning! Yes, I have someone in mind. I’ll reach out and let you know!

#2 - Just that morning I was on Facebook, and I saw that my friend Jonna had posted something that God laid on her heart. She was to sponsor a child through an organization. Jonna was excited to invest and make an impact in a young boy’s life. She wanted to be obedient to what she believed God was asking her to do. She knew the sacrifice that it would require. Jonna was shifting her mindset off herself to give to someone else in need.

Blessings are on the other side of obedience.

My two friends were completely unaware of how God was orchestrating a blessing. Let me explain. My friend, Kim, wanted to bless someone with a crib, mattress, and sheets. My other friend, Jonna, signed up to be a financial blessing to a child in another country. There seems to be no connection between the two, other than for me…and I just found out that my friend Jonna was expecting a child.

When we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide us, the blessing will hit its target every time!

I reached out to my friend, Jonna, through a short text. It said: Hey!! Do you need a crib?

(Yes, I was very direct and to the point, I know!)

Jonna responded by saying: Hey!! That would be amazing! I have one but no bolts for it, I lost them.

I love networking and putting people together! I responded to Jonna excitedly and told her that I would introduce her and Kim in a group text so that they could coordinate the logistics.

I love this story because it reminds me how God sees us and works in the details of our lives. My friend, Jonna, became a blessing to a young boy in another country. She, in turn, was blessed with baby bedding through my friend Kim. God already knew these precious women, their hearts, and their obedience.  He created a blessing for Jonna through my friend Kim.

God works in our lives to be a blessing to those around us. The question is:

Are we available?

Do we choose to be intentional with those in our community?

Are we seeking the Lord to allow Him to guide our steps so that we can be a blessing in someone’s life?

We are blessed to be a blessing.

The blessing isn’t always in material things; however, God promises that we will reap what we sow. His word also says that it is better to give than to receive.

I was even blessed to be a part of this story to connect Kim and Jonna. Blessings come in many ways. It’s a blessing to see God working in our lives, but it’s not just about you and it’s not just about me. God works in spaces bigger than just us.  It’s about the people we are connected to.

I encourage you to share your story or a testimony of how God’s has been working and moving in your life. By doing so, we share our stories and encourage others. We can stir up their faith so that, they too, can trust God to do the same for them.

We don’t always understand the ways that God works in each of our lives, but as we trust and live with open hearts, we can know that timing is perfect.

 As we obey, there are blessings on the other side.

Obedience and listening to the Lord unlock the blessings that He desires to give to His children. God wants to give good gifts to His kids.

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.” James 1:17-18

What a blessing it is to be a blessing! I encourage you to go and be a blessing today and then share the story with someone else. The holiday season is always a good reminder that amid all the hustle and bustle, we can make a difference as we pay attention to the Holy Spirit.  We can be a gift to another if we pay attention and act upon the Lord’s leading. He will invite us into His gift-giving plans if we are obedient. Oh, the joy of this exchange!

Be a blessing!

Bethany Marshall