Blessing

Blessing

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

ONE YEAR I HEARD ABOUT a single moms’ retreat that was being held in our state. Even though I wasn’t a single mom and didn’t know very many single moms personally, I knew I wanted to get involved. The retreat met both physical and spiritual needs of the women by providing car care, a boutique where they could shop for free, a spa, and speakers who would encourage and speak the truth of God’s love and grace.

I thought that I would go to help and offer support by working as a volunteer, but what I did not know was how it would change me and my heart. And how I would see, firsthand, how truly courageous, hardworking, and selfless these single moms are.

At the retreat, I heard stories of mothers who put their needs second to those of their children. They fed their children before themselves. They dressed and bought necessities for their children before themselves. They scrimped and saved to get the things their children needed. They put aside their own desires to meet the needs of the young ones in their charge. And I was moved. More than moved, I was challenged and humbled.

The very heart of Father God was modeled and mirrored in these beautiful women who came from different places, different backgrounds, and different experiences. All weekend as women expressed gratitude to us for helping with the retreat, I simply responded by thanking them for being with us. It was an honor to be serving, a privilege to hear stories, and a blessing to get to know the women.

Oftentimes when we contemplate a blessing, we think of the people we’ll be serving as the ones being blessed. But Scripture says that those who bring a blessing are enriched themselves. And anyone who waters, will himself be watered. Why? Because when we give to others, when we offer kindness, love, or a listening ear, we find those same things in return. There’s no power differential in true blessing toward each other; we give and receive to one another, mutually supportive. And in so doing, we’re all blessed.

Lord, may we all be willing to give and receive blessing. Amen.

-Kendra

One Good Step: Today either bless someone or be willing to accept a blessing yourself, knowing that either way, your life will be enriched.