This morning, I need something to lift my grumpy, sleepy mood. It’s so easy to get caught in this grumpy place – angry, disgusted, impatient and fed up – but it’s so uncomfortable here!
I can choose where my thoughts rest. It certainly helps if I’m not tired or hungry. Sometimes I have to take care of these needs first.
But then, I’m learning a powerful tool, and that is the PRACTICE OF BLESSING.
I don’t realize how often I complain & resent – feeling justified, but this blocks blessing. So, as much as possible (meaning: whenever I remember) I bless the people and events I encounter during the day, regardless of how they’re going. I’m especially trying to do this when I’m aggravated. I’m finding that this works powerfully for turning around negative attitudes in me.
For example, I work at a busy clinic with people coming and going all day, and I like this job! But sometimes, when I’m tired and people are needy and short-tempered, they can want more than I have to give. At these times, the practice of blessing turns me around, especially when we do it together as a staff.
We’ll say something like this: We bless you (patient) – wherever you are and in whatever you’re facing. May you experience something unusual and good today.
Eugene Peterson defines blessing as
“A sense of surprise, unanticipated good fortune, a gift in a place you least expect it.”
~As Kingfishers Catch Fire, p. 107
I hope on some crabby day, I’ll get to experience something unusually good that turns my day around. I’m willing to bless others because we could all use more of this.
A Blessing
May today hold – for each of us – the sense that we are blessed by God, which makes us equal to the task at hand, whatever that might be. God’s love can strengthen and encourage us to take whatever step we need to take. We can trust.
- He is in the business of blessing and not cursing.
- We can trust his help and wisdom and strength.
- He has insight where we don’t, and that we can thrive because he is with us!
He hides his blessings like easter eggs in the midst of the everyday. May we keep a sharp eye. They’re too good to be missed!
