What goes through your thoughts when you see that statement? Is it simply a response to someone’s sneeze? Is it something you say in passing to even a casual acquaintance, or maybe even a stranger? Might it be an apt substitute for “Have a good day?”
None of that would be unusual, or even wrong or unbiblical, necessarily. But let’s leave those more “surfacy” forms of asking God to bless someone and turn instead to some of the power behind that sentiment that we might overlook from time to time.
When we pray for someone and ask God to bless them, just what do we really have in mind? I know I often do that without much specificity behind my request. Do I just want to leave the details up to God since he knows best how to bless them?
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and it’s certainly true that God understands our needs better than we know our own. But, for me, I must admit it’s probably a bit of a cop-out when I don’t want to dig much deeper. Or perhaps I don’t want to spend a few moments listening to God to see if he gives me some ideas on what might actually bless them.
Who knew there were so many ways to get a less-than-ideal result from our “God bless yous?”
So my first encouragement to you and to me is to consider replacing that phrase with more specific prayers, based in part on spending a few extra moments listening for God’s direction. I can certainly make some great improvement in this area!
The second “blessing” reminder is based on my experience this past week.
As you know, we just left Valentine’s Day in our rear-view mirror along with the mostly empty candy boxes and the slightly wilted flowers.
For many of us singles, we’re happy to say sayonara! Not my favorite day of the year.
But I did something slightly different the morning of the fourteenth and I’d like to share the outcome with you.
As I started my Valentine’s Day, I asked God to please drop some unexpected blessings into my day. Some special acts of kindness that would give me that wonderfully warm feeling of being loved.
And then I went about my business for the day, not necessarily expecting anything monumental. Mistake #1 – not trusting God to come through on my sincere request. Will I never learn?
The blessings started arriving around mid-morning last Wednesday and they didn’t end until nearly bedtime.
They included a picture of a sweet valentine note from a young girl from my church who “thought it would be nice to make a valentine for you.” Her mom included a kind note of encouragement as well. I texted back that I had prayed God would drop some blessings into my day and that she and her daughter had done just that.
I figured that would be enough. Grateful for their kindness. Mistake #2 – limiting God’s blessings.
God wasn’t done working through my friends. I received more heartfelt notes throughout the day. Some were texts, others were hand-delivered, and some even came through the mail in time for that special day.
And it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a nice selection of chocolates, and even some hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries. The day was topped off with a beautiful bouquet of flowers that still smell heavenly in my kitchen.
The lesson here, and my question to each of you is this – on your difficult days when you know you may struggle, do you ever stop to ask God specifically to drop some blessings into your life? Or are we content to just take whatever the day happens to bring? I know I can fall into that rut far too often.
So, this was another good reminder for me as well. Our heavenly Father wants to bless us in surprising and comforting ways. He loves us deeply and I’m sure it gives him great pleasure to bring us those warm fuzzy gratitude moments.
The Bible also instructs us to “ask and you shall receive.” So why not take him up on that promise, and be amazed at how personal and how compassionate our God is.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17
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