Finding Blessings

Women of Faith:

As summer approaches, the grass turns green, and flowers appear where none existed before, are you in awe of all that God has created? Or are you so wrapped up in your daily duties that you miss the blessings of life?

Pope Francis spoke this week about the world’s worship of the “golden calf” – all that is material and how our wants and desires have become not just needs, but our expected necessities. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/may/documents/papa-francesco_20130516_nuovi-ambasciatori_en.html

“Brothers and sisters: Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” Rm 8: 8-10

We have received many blessings. (Our spouses, our children, our friends, our homes, clean water, ABUNDANT food, clothing, shoes, purses, cars, silverware, toothpaste and even laundry soap.)

But do we give thanks for someone to love and for those who love us; for the freedom to attend church, school and to go shopping; for our own health or the health and ability of those who take care of us; for the opportunity to do or to receive something done for us (like fixing or taking us out to lunch, mowing the lawn or having it mowed for us, or having or working at a job that pays the mortgage); or for all of the pleasures that we have come to expect as necessary?

What everyday blessings are we expecting or taking for granted? What opportunities have become expectations?

God has created each of us in His image (the flesh), and in each of us the ability to accept, receive and recognize His gifts for His glory (the Spirit). The flesh is empty without His spirit.

If I use and abuse the flesh (the human, the material) without recognizing them as a blessing from God, then I will be hungry (empty, a shell) missing His Spirit. When I accept Him and use His blessings to affect others, in the Spirit, I become full, completed, and even more richly blessed.

Creator God! Jesus our brother! Life giving Spirit! For the many wonders of our lives, we bless your name, and find in turn, that we are blessed. Guide and strengthen each of us on life’s journey so that we may be the face and voice of Christ in the world. Give us the desire to bring your blessings into the places of our hearts and homes both now and tomorrow. Amen.

Take the opportunity to find His Spirit within you and give it to others!

Receive His blessing and go forth to be a blessing!

Charlotte