On Wallin Pond

An article posted in the Huffington Post this week claimed that "the one thing Christians should stop saying" is that we're blessed, particularly when we are financially "blessed." I agree with the questions he raises. Why do we think we are blessed when we have no financial worries or if we receive a raise or get back a nice big income tax return? What about the millions of people, some of them Christians, all over the world who make less than $10 per day, who scrounge around in garbage dumps to find scraps of food? Are they not blessed?

The author of the article, Scott Dannemiller, goes on to remind us that Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, told us that those who are happy (blessed) are those who are poor in spirit, meek, hungry for righteousness, mournful, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and even persecuted for righteousness' sake. 

We in America tend to think God is our Genie in the Sky, on call to answer our every need in the way we want. We forget that God's purpose for us is to refine us, to make us holy, to complete the work he began in us. And that does not necessarily mean giving us a comfortable life with no problems.

There's no doubt that we are blessed, but not necessarily in the way we Americans think of blessing.

One of those blessings I was grateful for this week was children and grandchildren. Scripture is clear that people, our relationships are gifts from the Lord. 

Psalm 127:3 - "Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord."

Proverbs 17:6 - "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

I had brunch with a dear friend on Tuesday and met with another dear friend on Thursday afternoon. In both encounters, we were recounting how much joy our grandchildren bring us. I have always been astounded at the instant bond there seems to be between us "old folks" and the new grandbaby. In our own case, at least, each grandchild has not only been a joy to us, but amazingly enough, also seemed to enjoy us. 

So just for the pure joy of it, I spent several hours yesterday looking through pictures for proof of fun times with us, in particular with Andy. Of course, those grandchildren born earlier have memories of him rough housing with them, playing on the floor, wrestling and tumbling with them. But even those born more recently still seem to be drawn to him. I've always told him he's a baby/kid magnet.

Kasey Ann Sherf

Claire Ruth Lindsay

Joanna Alex Eberly

Asher David Lindsay

Aiden Christian Lindsay

Kira Dawn Sherf

Chase & Joanna

Katy Emma Eberly

 

Grace Olivia Lindsay

Kira

 

Eberly kids

Grace, Naomi Rayne and Chase

Chase Wyatt Eberly

 

Kira

Cole Thomas Sherf

Grace

Cole

Ann Voskamp had a guest post on her blog this week by Jennifer Dukes Lee who wrote a book, The Happiness Dare. I was very interested in what she had to say because sometimes I almost feel guilty for being happy when there is so much horrible stuff going on in the world.

I resonate with the points she made:

* When you desire happiness, you are not a pleasure-seeking heretic. You are responding to something built into your soul.

* Your desire to live happy is your soul's memory of the original paradise, etched and alive in you.

* Your happiness is a formidable weapon in a world wracked with pain.

Oh yes, life is hard, but there are still happy moments. Andy and I still laugh together. We tease and enjoy the life we have at this moment. We enjoy our family, our friends, hikes in the woods, our home, ice cream...

Lee goes on to say that "happiness is a gift from a happy God. It's permissible by God and achievable through him."

Then she quotes John Piper who said it like this: "Our mistake lies not in the intensity of our desire for happiness, but in the weakness of it."

Her whole post is excellent and I heartily recommend you read it and take up the happiness dare.

1 Corinthians 4:7 - "What do you have that you did not receive?"

1 Timothy 6:17 - "...put your hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 

Happiness and blessing. 
Yes, I agree we need to be careful about what we mean when we say we are blessed. But the Bible tells us that we are indeed blessed "with every spiritual blessing in Christ." 
(Ephesians 1)

We have been:

* chosen by God to be his children, holy and blameless in his sight, 
* he loves us with an eternal love, 
* we are redeemed through Jesus' blood, 
* the riches of God's grace have been lavished on us,
* we are accepted in the Beloved.
* we are marked with the Holy Spirit, a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.
* we are God's possession.

Oh yes, we are blessed indeed.