Blessings ~ [bles-ing]†† noun
1.† the act or words of a person who blesses.
2.† a special favor, mercy, or benefit: the blessings of liberty.
3.† a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.
4.† the invoking of God’s favor upon a person: The son was denied his father’s blessing.
5.† praise; devotion; worship, especially grace said before a meal: The children took turns reciting the blessing.
Almost 6 months laid off.† I do not get child support, I do not get unemployment, I get no weekly/monthly money.† However I do get something wonderful…blessings all around.
People have given us so much, friends, family, anonymous people.† My boss has given me some money a couple of times.† My Daddy has helped. We have made it.†
On Halloween I opened my email to find a “Happy Halloween” to Karen and Keilee gift card for $50! I cried.† Sunday when we got home from church there was a $25 gift card to WalMart stuck in our door. I cried.† Saturday a friend dropped off tangerines, apples and potatoes, I cried. I seem to cry at the drop of a hat lately.† And these are all just RECENT blessings.† Trust me in the course of a few months I have seen many.
I wish I could explain what this means to me.† How I feel each time an envelope is opened, an email with prayers, a phone call to encourage.† This experience has taught me so much.† I have learned so much about the woman I am and the Christian I want to be.† A dear friend said “Karen you are such a strong woman” and I almost laughed…ME? Strong?† No way.† I feel so weak at times.† So helpless, so small. I am NOT always strong, I wonder if all the decisions I make are the right ones.† I pray.† A LOT.
All I want, all I have ever wanted to to take care of this precious child that God has entrusted to me.† As a single Mom I made the decision years ago to stay at home, work from home.† I knew it would be hard. I knew I could make more money in the ‘work force’ but I chose not to do that.† I have never regretted it.† Not.once.
My brother came over this weekend to get some of his things. We went through tons of my Mother’s stuff.† She was a writer, she wrote down poems; ones she wrote herself and ones she heard or read.† Little snippets of information or encouragement everywhere.† This is one she had hand written.† I have no clue where she found it, she must have read it somewhere.† I read it and thought, “God thank you for placing this in my hands. I needed it”† Another blessing…
Learn With Every Goodbye
by Veronica A Shoffstall
After a while, you learn the subtle difference
and between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesnít mean leaning
And company doesnít mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses arenít contracts
And presents arenít promises,
And you begin to accept your defeats
With the grace of a woman,
not the grief of a child,
And learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrowís ground is too uncertain for plans,
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight
And after a while, you learn That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endureÖ
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth
And you learn
and learnÖ
With every goodbye, you learn.
At church Sunday IV told the story of “The Prodigal Son”.† Keilee and I just looked at each other with our mouths opened.† Do you know the name of the movie that I have been waiting on all these months?† “The Prodigal” based on…”The Prodigal Son”.† I listened carefully and I got it God.† Another blessing…
Blessings..
Everywhere
I
Turn
Are
Blessings…
Karen
ìThose blessings are sweetest that are won with prayer and worn with thanks.î†~Thomas Goodwin
Oh Karen, sweet friend, I know it is so easy for me to say everything will work out, everything will be fine, God is on your side, He is there for you…but when I go through trials myself I worry, too, about what will happen. You are strong. You are amazing. You are doing an amazing job with Keilee!
A few years ago, Jason’s dad (who is a Vietnam veteran with a lot of health and even possibly some emotional issues) and his wife who has health and emotional issues of her own, had been managing an apartment complex in Southern California and living there rent free. The owner of the complex sold the building and Jason’s dad and stepmom were told to vacate in 2 weeks–since they were not really tenants they could make them leave sooner than someone who had a lease agreement. It was a trying time. They had nowhere to go, tons of health issues, some emotional issues and really no money–they managed the complex in exchange for a place to live and they received disability benefits and food stamps to cover utility bills and food. We said they could stay with us–across the country, which was not really practical. They ended up staying with various friends, most of their belongings packed in their old, rusty Jeep. My father-in-law ended up getting sick and spending a few weeks in a VA hospital, the truck broke down and his wife couldn’t get there to see him…it was really a mess. We felt powerless so far away and we prayed and prayed. Someone loaned them a truck for my MIL to go see my FIL in the hospital and when she went to return it, the person told her she could keep it. It was old and has had problems, but was still such a blessing. Someone in the VA hospital heard about the situation and helped them to get affordable housing not far from the VA hospital…it all worked out amazingly because my FIL NEEDS to be close to that hospital because in the years since he has developed more health issues and he NEEDS to be that close. Over the years different things have happened and it just seems that it was all God’s plan for them. It has all worked out somehow. I believe in my heart this will work out for you and Keilee. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
This is a gorgeous post, and I admire the way you keep this perspective in the midst of what you’re going through. I needed this inspiration, especially this weekend. (((Hugs))) — I am grateful to know you.
That is awesome, friend! You are so blessed to have so many helpful friends and family.
My sweet friend,
I cried reading your post. We MUST make time to get together after the new year. I am serious. How hard would it be for us to meet half way?
Now…. where is your Collage Friday post? ha ha!!!
Hugs!
Karen, you won my giveaway. Email me your address and I will get it in the mail to you. knechtslodge@yahoo.com.
Blessings
Diane
That poem is so beautiful – and so is your thankfulness. You are an inspiration. 🙂
Oh, friend, this was such a lovely, heart-wrenching post! One thing I’ve learned is crying doesn’t mean you’re not strong. I believe crying and asking the Lord for help – yes, even hourly! – is the key to humbling ourselves before Him. It is what He wants us to do. He wants to help us, as any loving father would help His child in need. Karen, you hold a special place in my heart. I feel as if I’m watching you grow spiritually, right before my eyes on your site! Hugs!!
Oh, Karen, this is stunning. Just all the way through beautiful. I feel so lucky to know you and see the strength you might not always see in yourself. I am so glad you have the support you have. I think of you often, wonder if there’s something I can do from so far away. I think you and Kei are amazing, strong, kind, wonderful people. I love that you had the mother you had, and love that you share her with us. There is so much love in this post, it makes me tear up, because I cry at the drop of a hat all the time too, at how much beauty there is, and with gratitude at all the love going around. Thank you, Karen, for being in my life, and for being such an inspiration.
I love what Lisa wrote. I feel so blessed to know you. You may not realize this but you are a role model for many moms. The grace that you bring to adversity and the faith you display daily reminds me that through God all things are possible.
I’m so glad you’re getting some needed support and blessings. We’re thinking of you both!
I completely understand your crying lately at the drop of a hat…I am feeling quite teary after reading this post, Karen! I am so glad for all of the blessings coming your way…all of those angels taking care of you and Keilee.
And, how wonderful to find those special words written by your Mother!
Oh dear friend, now you have me crying! How beautiful to find the poem written in your mom’s handwriting and how the Lord spoke to you through it and through the sermon at church. You are strong and that is because you have God in your heart– “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And you have the love of friends like me, who have never even met you in person, but think of you as a friend and pray for you often! xoxo