Be a Blessing
Who are you at home? Who are you in public? Are you one person one place and a different person elsewhere? I know my family definitely sees the real me while others may see a “nicer” side of me. Most of all though I want to be a blessing.
I can be a daughter, wife mom, friend neighbor, whoever, but it is important to me that I be a blessing.
Lately I’ve been thinking and praying a lot about being a blessing. It all started this spring as I was headed off to a vendor event. I love doing events, sharing how Norwex saves time, money and the environment is fun for me since saving time, money and the environment is naturally one of my passions anyway.
As I was driving to the event, I was praying for a good turnout. But it was laid on my heart that maybe I needed to stop praying quite so much for me. So my prayer changed. I began praying that no matter how the event went financially, that I would be a blessing and bright spot for all I talked to.
Even if they weren’t interested in the product I was offering I hoped they would still be interested in me, and the friendship I was offering. I prayed that they would see Christ in me and that my light would encourage them.
Most of the time it’s hard to tell if a prayer like that is answered. I can have confidence that Christ is in me but I don’t know if people have been blessed or not. However, a week ago, that prayer was clearly answered and in a slightly different way!
If you think you are too small or insignificant to be a blessing. Let me remind you.
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 1 Corinthians 1:27
My little baby that comes with me, was used to brighten the day of many elderly who rarely see small babies. He delighted them with his smiles and high-fives. Then they remembered when their children were young and I learned how many grands and great-grands they also had.
I felt so blessed when I left. I was so thankful that God could use even my little baby to bless others!
That isn’t the end of my musings, however. I prayed to be a blessing to others, now I’m praying to be a blessing to my family.
How can I be a blessing to my family in practical ways?
Just like a small baby made a huge impact, I can bless my family in huge ways with just the little things. And quite frankly, it’s the little things that are the hardest to offer.
- Looking into my toddler’s eyes and listening intently as he’s telling me the exact thing he told me 2 minutes ago.
- Holding my baby and rocking him, even when I have so much to do that I really “don’t have time”.
- Smiling at my hubby when he gets home. (read: showing I’m happy to see him)
- Serving up a favorite meal.
- Sitting on the floor and playing with my boys.
- Reading books with them. (Books ranging from simple/silly to bible stories)
- Listening as my husband animatedly describes his work day.
- Texting my man a sweet note or funny joke to brighten his day.
If we seek to be a blessing, we will be. And best of all, when we are blessing others, God is just pouring those blessings back into us and we are simply filled with his joy!