Unexpected Blessings!

August 11, 2022

Unexpected Blessing!

We had walked the trail before…several times.  It is an easy walk winding behind the neighborhood in which we live before it meanders through a small protected natural area. 

The natural area does not look like much from the road; a small overgrown piece of ground left undeveloped.  But, a slow pace and an attentive eye reveal much more. 

There is a small pond tucked down in a low spot with cattails and fallen trees around its perimeter.  There are towering old cottonwood trees, plum tickets, and chokecherry bushes. 

Over a dozen mallard ducks call the pond their home.  We have seen a young buck deer, red-wing black birds, and a garter snake scurrying away.  We have also seen a pair of very large great horned owls watching us ever so cautiously.

The first time we saw the owls, it was my wife’s keen eyes that spotted them down low on a branch of one of the old cottonwood trees.  We stood there in awe and wonder.  It was an unexpected blessing!

Unexpected blessings come in all different ways. 

A woman engaged in the everyday routine of collecting water at the town well suddenly finds herself in a conversation with the Son of God.  In John 4:29 she says; “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done!  He cannot be the Messiah, can he?”  It was an unexpected blessing that led to a new found faith in Jesus and the gift of eternal life.

Unexpected blessings come in all different ways. 

A student humbly following his mentor suddenly finds himself given the leadership responsibility that had belonged to his mentor.  In II Kings 2:9 we hear; “When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you before I am taken from you.’  Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’”  It was an unexpected blessing that led to the anointing of a new leader and a new hope for the Hebrew people.

Unexpected blessings come in all different ways. 

A hateful, cruel, and judgmental man suddenly finds himself lying in the dirt after encountering the Savior in a very personal way.  In Acts 9:17 we hear; “So Ananias went and entered the house.  He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  It was an unexpected blessing that changed his life purpose and led to the planting of several churches in the Middle East.

Unexpected blessings come in all different ways. 

Sometimes we have done nothing before God’s blessing comes our way.  So it was with the woman at the well.

Sometimes we have been trusting, obedient, and faithful to follow in the way laid before us.  So it was for a man named Elisha.

Sometimes we are running away from the Lord God and any notion the Lord might be able or willing to use us or bless us.  So it was for a man named Saul/Paul.

Prepare your heart and mind and soul for a blessing of God.  Make them fertile ground where God’s blessing can sprout and grow and eventually become a blessing for your family and friends.

Pay attention to what is going on around you.  The Holy Spirit is always at work and is always prepared to release a blessing in and through your life.

Pray Jesus will bless you in an unexpected way today so you will know the love of the Savior in fresh way today.  When you do, you will take delight in the Lord God for all His generous and amazing blessings.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug     

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