Blessings

Yesterday I received a blessing. Someone went out of their way to do something very lovely for me. I sit here now thankful, and as I consider yesterday some more I realise that other people went out of their way to do something for me. What I also realise is that I have not always considered these things as blessings. In fact they are things that I have, in the past, taken for granted.

A lovely friend, who each day, greets me with a beautiful smile and the certainty of true friendship. My sister who sat and shared tea with me when there were twenty other things she could have been doing.

When life takes an unexpected turn it can lead to life being viewed in a completely different way.

Every sun was bringing a new day, however it was not the day I wanted. By choosing to view the day differently I have begun to see each new day in a new way.
Previously, I thought blessings were associated with material things. A lovely house, a shiny car, a wardrobe full of clothes (and shoes!), hot holidays. My eyes have been opened and, whilst all these things are wonderful blessings, there is so much more.

My life is not where I had hoped it would be. I often complain to God that my heart hurts, yet 'what if your blessings come through raindrops?' (Blessings, Laura Story, 2011). I live each new day knowing I have so much to be thankful for. Blessings are not just there on the good days, they are there all the time.

Blessings can be found in a smile...in a kind word...in a thoughtful deed...in a line from a song...in a moment shared...in a hand finding yours...in saying hello...in encouraging one another...in saying thank you...in a beautiful sunrise...in friendship...in putting someone first...in doing to others what you would have them do to you.

My part is to look for those blessings - I think that will not be difficult to do!

New Year's Resolutions

I have never been particularly good at making New Year's resolutions. My resolve was generally gone a few days into the New Year!

This year I did not make any resolutions and not because I knew I would not be able to keep them. I did not make any because I believe I can resolve to be a better person, to behave in a better way, to be better at each new day on any day of the year. I believe when I lose my resolve, whether for a moment, for a day or for longer, that I do not have to wait until the next January 1st to start again. Right there, in that moment, in that day, I can pick myself up and begin again.

I have been learning about grace. Grace is a word that is used to describe so many things - the way someone moves, behaviour, God's undeserved and unmerited favour, what we say before a meal, a period of favour shown to someone and a way to address someone. The grace that I have been learning about is grace that gives me something I do not deserve which I can then give to others.

My life is covered by grace and that is why, when I lose my resolve, I can continue and pick myself up and keep on walking. For a long time I was familiar with grace however it is only more recently that I have learnt that grace covers everything. Grace turns feeling a failure into feeling secure. Grace turns fear into peace. Grace catches me when I fall.

When I let grace hold me and guide me it begins to change me from the inside. I hope it is turning me into a person who can show grace to others. Grace has turned my world upside down.

So maybe I have made a New Year's resolution after all! As every sun brings a new day so shall I try to live a life which is covered by grace and one which gives out grace.