Blessed...to be a blessing

Last night it was someone's birthday. There was no family gathered around. No streamers. No cake. No gifts. No birthday song. No celebration. There was just a man who was hungry and filthy, and he was the only person in the room that knew November 1st was his day. His birthday dinner took place in a church, surrounded by others who were poor, needy, and hungry. He was served a meal of tamales, rice, beans, and pineapple. I asked him if he needed anything else, and he said smiling, “I’m fine. No…I’m great.” His birthday came and went. It really was unremarkable. But to me it was remarkable. I was able to pray with him that he would be blessed, and that he would know God’s amazing, unconditional, immeasurable love on his birthday, and every day.

I stood there, wearing my new shirt, and scanned the room...gazing into the eyes of men and women living rather messed up lives. Maybe choices, a devastating circumstance, or the family they were born into launched them toward this place.

God's grace, care and provision has been extravagant in my life. But, while serving the physical needs of these people last night, I was reminded again that I’m not blessed just because God picked me out to be one of the lucky ones to live a comfortable life. I’m blessed…to be a blessing. And blessing others makes me feel so, so good.

2 Corinthians 9:8, 10-12
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. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.