Sunday School

I would like to welcome everyone for attending this session of Upon My Word.

I love words and it's a good thing I do since I've had to eat more than my share a time or two served with a side of crow.

I love the sound of them.  I love the ring of them.  I love the way they can make me laugh or cry...shudder or shy.

Sometime the most powerful ones are only 2 or 3 letters long.

Yes...No.

Sometimes the words get in the way.

Sometimes they can be words of wisdom.

When writing a post, I've made no secret I'm just the typist with Him providing the words and this morning was no different.

I awoke with a single word repeating in my head.  When that happens, I know it's time to sit, type and talk.

Shall we begin?

Today's word is blessing.

bless·ing

   /ˈblɛsɪŋ/ [bles-ing] noun

1. the act or words of a person who blesses.

2. a special favor, mercy, or benefit.

3. a favor or gift bestowed by God.

4. the invoking of God's favor upon a person.

5. praise; devotion; worship.

Get all that?  Good.

Let's look at this definition a little closer...shall we?

1. the act or words of a person who blesses.

Sometimes when we look at the blessings in our lives, we I fail to see the small ones.  The ones that sneak up on us, tucked sweetly in a pair of loving eyes and.  The pat on the back, the small words of encouragement, all freely given from a generous heart with nothing expected in return except feeling the joy they brought to someone else and the sound of shared laughter.

Lessons to be learned?

To work at being someone who blesses others and never being so proud as to find ourselves cheating anyone out of the opportunity to be such a blessing.  To reach the point of recognizing all the little blessings that come our way and realizing sometimes just a simple thank you really is enough.

2.  a special favor, mercy or benefit.

Blessings aren't always as obvious as a wrapped present.  Sometimes they are layered in white cotton, tied with heart strings.  Oft-times they climb out of clowns' cars with a burst of imagination, all technicolor and candy apple red.

They unfailingly do things for others...not because they're asked to or because it's expected, but because they want to...need to...have to.  It's in their genetic make-up cases.

Lessons to be learned?

To acknowledge and accept that sometimes a little help is needed.  Realizing we all...from time to time...need a leg up, a helping hand, or a caring shoulder to lean on and remembering sometimes just a simple thank you is enough.

3.  favor or gift bestowed by God.

4. the invoking of God's favor on a person.

5. praise, devotion, worship.

All the blessings in our lives, both big and small, flow from one source.  He provides the people in our lives who make us feel brave when we're scared, beautiful when we're not, and loved when we're at our most unlovable.  He sends them quietly...and sometimes raucously...into our worlds to remind us we're never truly alone.  These seemingly small blessings come with a word, a deed, a gesture to help us along in the day-to-day business of trying to get it right.  They're our business advocates, our cheerleader squad, the ones who want us to succeed and who don't even expect a thank you, but blush when offered one.

Lessons to be learned?

These guardian angels without wings sent by God are the daily reminders of His presence. To miss them is akin to missing Him.  He deserves all the praise, devotion and worship for these blessings...and most importantly...a thank you God is always enough.

I'd like to add one more thing.

I may not always make sense, but given the opportunity...and the words...I may make a lot of non-sense. And bless my soul, I promise up and down to always have the good sense to praise and thank God for each and every one of you.

From my big ol' Texas heart,

God's blessings on all y'all.

Class dismissed.