Lessons In the Waiting: Double Blessings

When you think of Spring 2020 words like pandemic, quarantine, Covid 19 and toilet paper hoarding might come to mind. Yet through all the chaos and uncertainty there are many lessons to be learned in the waiting. This time is a gift from our loving God.

I just finished reading a book called Double Blessing by Mark Batterson. It was about the ripple effect that occurs when we receive a blessing and pay it forward by blessing someone else. You never know when that blessing is going to be an answered prayer or miracle for someone else.

The book suggested that we take inventory of our blessings so that we can then use them to be a blessing to others. In doing this we find that there are many blessings we take for granted or may not even notice.

Throughout this season there have been several stories of people who have used their blessings to bless others. Stimulus checks have been used to help others who are struggling financially, food and supplies have been shared with those in need and time and talents have been used to make masks to fill a shortage. This week I witnessed how words in a Facebook post became a precious double blessing.

In mid March one of my co-workers passed away from ovarian cancer. She had three adult daughters and a young son who meant the world to her. Each year on their birthdays she would send them a post on Facebook that included several pictures of them through the years and then a list of things that she admired about them along with words of encouragement for the future.

Her youngest daughter had a birthday this week and on that day Facebook sent her a “remember this day” post that happened to be a list of the things that her mom wrote about her from a year ago. It was like her mom was here speaking those words again.

Her mom referenced singing in the car with her, snuggling in bed when she came home for visits and talking late into the night. She encouraged her to be strong in her pursuits in life and reminded her how much she was loved. Can you just imagine what a blessing that was to see those words again especially after just loosing her mother a month ago? That was a double blessing.

We are blessed to be a blessing. Whether our blessings are financial, material, talents or words they are given to us by God and we get the opportunity to use them for His purposes. We get to be part of the ripple effect of His love and provision which just adds even more to our blessings from Him.

My Prayer

Father thank you for the many blessings that You have given to me. Help me to be aware of each and every one of them and to use them to be a blessing to others. Thank you for including us in you plans to answer prayers and be a blessing to other. I know I cannot out give You Lord, but it’s fun to try. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

James 1: 17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.

Psalm 37:26

I’ve found the godly ones to be the generous ones who give freely to others. Their children are blessed and become a blessing.