BE BLESSED

 

 

Two little words, a simple encounter, that ended up with multiple blessings in retrospect!

 

 

Be blessed…

 

Yes, two simple words a gentleman spoke to me as he handed me his empty cart to use, despite me not having a quarter to give him for the cart, at a local store; actually at a store that is at a further location from my “normal” one!  BLESSING #1

The gentleman ended up being memorable in my mind because he was using a cane. I watched as, after handing me the cart, he saw an older gentleman who dropped his quarter. He asked the guy if he wanted him to get the quarter; the older gentleman said no he would get it as we both watched him try to bend down to retrieve the quarter. He was having a difficult time bending down so the gentleman with the cane retrieved it for him.  I was just taking in the scene noting how kind of an act that was too.  BLESSING #2

 

Photo courtesy of Lindsay Silveira under Creative Commons License (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

I then proceeded to enter the store being thankful that God had provided, blessed me with a cart though I did not have a quarter to get it.  Having a cart allowed me to also get some gallon water bottles that I had wanted to along with other groceries.  BLESSING #3

 

I went about shopping when suddenly I heard a gal say with enthusiasm, “Christine—Hello!”  It was a young adult from a church that I hadn’t seen in about 6 months or more. She has always been an inspiration to me as she originally came to our church in her early twenties on fire with her faith and putting that faith into action. When she reads scripture she has so much passion and expression which shows how she actually feels the words she is sharing.  We ended up conversing and catching up for at least a half hour in the store admist the people that kept passing us by.  BLESSING #4

 

After I got home I emailed her and told her how great it was to see her and that it was such a “God moment” for me because of God’s perfect timing.  The main reason I went there was because I was making a meal to take to a family that had just lost a family member. At the last minute I decided to change what I was going to be bringing to provide something they had on their “favorite” list  since the first thing seemed like it was too much of a repeat of other food they were receiving.  I needed to buy the new menu items and did so four days ahead of time for the meal.  After work I did a few other stops and this was just perfect.  What are the chances she responded and said she thought the same thing!  She was originally going to do different things first but didn’t.  BLESSING #5

 

During our conversation this gal mentioned she has been thinking about starting a women’s Bible Study and come to find out our interacting inspired her to pursue that more quickly.  She is working out the details now.  BLESSING #6

 

Photo courtesy of Chronic Joy Ministry under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0)

 

 

Fast forward three days later, one day before I made the meal.  I, along with two friends, were at our local Arena for a Casting Crowns/Zach Williams concert.  While we were inside waiting for the concert doors to open, I see the gentleman with the cane pass by probably heading to the elevator.  I knew he looked familiar and then remembered he was the kind “be blessed” gentleman from the store.

 

 

 

We were on the floor seating area and my one friend and I decided to go upstairs to walk around for a bit before the concert started.  It was so amazing to run into so many people I knew.  All of a sudden, I see the gentleman with the cane near us talking with some other people.  I just felt like I wanted to go say “hi” and tell him how much I appreciated the cart as well as him saying “be blessed.”  He was talking quite awhile but finally I kind of got his wife’s attention and then shared that I remembered him from the store.  BLESSING #7

 

He mentioned he always likes to say “be blessed” to people.  We ended up talking about Christian music groups and other concerts.  He also said I looked familiar from somewhere else.  We discovered we were both at a concert five days earlier about an 1 1/2 hr from our area but did not see each other there.

The Christian singer Matthew West’s name came up and then he knew where he had seen me before!!  Sure enough back in the fall he had brought his young, maybe 4 yr old granddaughter to a concert, again about 1 1/2 hr in another direction from us.  They were in the front row for the Jeremy Camp/Matthew West concert and my friend and I were right behind them!  In fact, I even gave them cotton for the granddaughter’s ears because it was kind of loud. (though she didn’t end up liking the cotton in her ears!)

 

First time meeting Matthew West & Jeremy Camp!

 

 

It truly is just so amazing to see once again how our lives are so connected; each interaction is connected….the never ending ripple effect of seeing God at work in our lives~

 

 

 

This week I say to you~~

 

 

 

 

May I challenge you this week to keep the eyes of your heart open to see the many ways your life is truly blessed~no matter how big or small the way may be.  Every day look for the ways you are blessed.  With doing that, we keep our eyes and focus on God and give Him the due praise He is so worthy of.

 

Can you start your challenge early and help me finish this post by naming one way you were blessed this past week?  I would be blessed to read your way in the comment section below.

 

 

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  –2 Corinthians 9:8  (NIV)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  –James 1:17 (NIV)

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. –Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)