Tag: blessings

Life’s Surprises

Donna Hutcherson

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10 NIV

I LOVE lilacs! From the time I was a child in upstate New York, they have been a favorite flower…and a favorite scent. However, living in Florida since the age of ten, opportunities to enjoy them have been rare. One of my favorite surprises in the year after Dale passed was “happening upon” flowering lilac bushes in two completely different places, both far from home – Helsinki, Finland, and the mountains of Colorado. I was momentarily speechless, awestruck in both situations and felt SO lovingly cared for by my Heavenly Father who knows me completely to the depths of my being. Blessed!

Conversely, I’ve also experienced traumatic surprises that rocked my world, the most life-altering being Dale’s sudden massive stroke. Other unforeseen occasions involved me in the devastating situations of loved ones. Did God lovingly care for me then? Was I blessed? Hard questions…and I have to admit that in the moment my immediate reactions didn’t include feelings of being blessed and loved. Critical needs required quick action and set in motion urgent care and immediate decisions. The instant and automatic prayer I cried out was “Jesus!” and “Help!” Thankfully always near, He heard and He helped.

Eventually in the aftermath of crises, realization of those answered prayers surfaced in my mind. Jesus was right there in the midst with me; MY SITUATION WAS NO SURPRISE TO HIM. Help came in time for each next step. When I did find moments to reflect, to quiet myself and to draw near to God alone, the answers to those awful questions were YES.

Yes, God was lovingly caring for me then.

And, yes, I was blessed. I was still in the palm of His hand, His presence was nearer than my breath, and His Holy Spirit was guiding, leading and comforting me through every thought and decision.

The Word tells us in John 10: 1-5 that His sheep hear His voice and don’t listen to the voice of a stranger. I am grateful to have practiced listening to God’s voice for many years, decades in fact. Countless distracting voices clamor for our attention at every turn and we must practice recognizing the familiar voice of God in that same way we learn to recognize the voice of a loved one over the phone. I always need to hear His voice, but never more than when I am shaken to the core of my being with my face pressed against a wall of the unknown. Never more than in life’s surprises am I grateful for my Saviour, my Deliverer, the Lover of my Soul – Jesus, Yeshua, Messiah, Lord of all.

Father, without You we can do nothing, not even breathe. Thank you for upholding us in times of great trial. You comfort, lead, guide, refresh in the midst of traumatic surprises and bless us through your pleasant surprises, showing the depth of your love for us. I praise You for Your plans and for Your keeping power. (John 15:5 NKJV)

SONG LINK:
Ryan Stevenson “The Eye of the Storm”
https://youtu.be/-sx8wTnnfSc

Count Your Blessings

Donna Hutcherson

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” -I Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

When Christy was in college, she and I read Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Although I knew to thank God and had a thankful heart, this book was key in developing in me a lifetime practice of thanking God and counting blessings at the start of each new day. Consequently, years later when we were blindsided by Dale’s stroke, it was natural for me to be grateful – for his life, quick medical response, air flight, my iPad, honest ER doctors, family arriving within hours, and so much more.

Excerpt of blessings listed in my Caring Bridge journal 10-20/21-14

  • visits from pastors and friends
  • brother-in-law’s research
  • our son David, a godly man and honorable son
  • Officer’ s kindness and consideration for our family
  • sister’s availability and, of course, love and good food
  • today’s technology that keeps family and info at our fingertips
  • those who’ve walked this walk sharing insight, hope and their stories
  • smiling, caring, knowledgeable medical staff
  • coffee
  • friend having Dale’s laundry done before I even got home
  • Christy’s volleyball team winning first round of districts

Whatever the situation, there are always things for which we can be thankful. Our hearts and lives benefit from thankfulness as it renews our minds, fills us with hope, and reminds us of just how very much we have. Since the truth is that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, or even our next breath, let’s be thankful for the blessing of breath/oxygen. In my darkest, most helpless hours, I counted blessings of shoes on my feet, water, bathrooms, life itself…things we so easily take for granted, especially in the U.S. where we live amidst such abundance.

When I determined to journal, I started with a blank journal, each day listing 3 things for which I was thankful; after just a week I had a reminder of 21 blessings! We ARE blessed and it’s healthy to acknowledge it. I suggest you give it a try!

Oh, Father, You Who made us know the value of thankfulness; help me to cultivate gratitude in my daily life. (Psalm 100:4)

SONG LINK:
Julie Andrews “My Favorite Things”
https://youtu.be/bACiODIbf84