I work one day a week for an organization that feeds the poor and homeless. As they walk past me, it’s not unusual to make small talk and ask, “How you doing?” (A question which has become more of a greeting than something that you really expect an answer from.)
What surprises me, when I ask this question, is the number of people who smile wide and answer, “I’m blessed!”
“Blessed“! They have very little. Some of them proclaim that they’re blessed and then sleep in a shelter, not knowing if they’ll have a warm meal or a bed the next day.
Contrast that with the answer I receive from those with plenty, “My back’s been bothering me”, “My son dented my car”, or “Not horrible I guess”.
How is it that those of us with so much can’t see how blessed we truly are?
It’s just something I was pondering and thought I might be able to get some insight from you.
What do you think?
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Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? James 2:5
So true Pete!
I think it’s a mistake to equate blessing to plenty. In my mind, blessing is more of a spiritual state than a material state 🙂
Great point Sarah! How do so many poor and homeless find that spiritual state while it seems to elude those with plenty? (I know that’s a massive generalization. Just digging a little deeper.)
Wow that’s amazing. We also work for a similar organisation and some of the homeless people are so much more open to talking about Christ than the middle-class. It’s amazing how things blind us 🙁
I love their openness.
You are so right that we often miss seeing all the blessings all around us. I pray God opens our eyes more and more.
On the other hand, I hate when Christians cover up their struggles for fear of seeming unspiritual. I’ve had people who say they are “blessed,” but it seems they say it out of habit and not heart.
I’d rather have a Christian pour out their true struggles with me than pretend. I’d also love to see the same Christian realize the grace God gives each day and rise above his/her struggles to lift someone else up. We all have times when we need lifting. We all have times when we can lift.
So true Katy!
some interesting stuff to think about man. thanks
Thanks Jay!
The Israelites saw all God did, especially at the Red Sea, and with the Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night, yet they would moan and complain. Am I any different? Blessed with so much and yet show little or no gratitude. O God, have mercy upon this heart and help me to so how blessed and rich I truly am. For You have not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither have You seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD my God is with me, and the shout of the King is upon me. Amen.