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Part Three: The Blessed Shock


A continuation of the Summer 2012 series. Catch up on Part Two.

My next upset came in the form of an article I read about how to Be A Blessing to Your Friends. I recommend reading it in full, but the title gives a great basic idea of the topic. I soon came across 2 Corinthians 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

The verse was pointed out to me after I had read the article, but the intertwining of the two – and the fact that I heard them the same morning from different sources – got me to thinking how my application of blessing was doing. Not super well was my verdict. Paul was intentional when he wrote the final verse in Chapter 13. He meant every word to the Corinthians. How could I do less for those whom I come across, especially those I claim to love, be trying to love?

I can’t. When my prayer for them is for them to be caught in the burning love of faith my consciousness of their souls becomes apparent and my love for them is able to grow through the strength of Christ not by my own power.

My morning of shock made me realize how little blessing I added to the lives of those around me. It could not have come at a better/worse time. [if that sentence confuses you please refer back to The SGB to gain insight]

I would love to just learn all my life lessons now, but alas the Lord teaches our slow brains gradually. In all honesty, it’s better that way. Things have more of a chance to sink in at least that’s how it is in my life. I need to see where I am lacking because if I don’t see it I cannot change it. I saw in a very real way that I have not made it my intention to be a blessing. If I have been that to anyone, it has been unintentional though I am hopeful I have blessed more than injured.

Ah, the worst of times. I did not want expend the effort to bless. There are many people in my life I do not want to be a blessing to or pray 2 Corinthians 13:14 over. Because I am selfish. I am wicked. My flesh often wins. Fortunately the God I serve commands obedience of all of me. Having given over my life to Him, the time it takes me to learn lessons seems to be shrinking. Though not as fast as I would like.

An added prayer, To Bless.

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