Too Busy For Blessings

Too Busy for Blessings

I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. . . . There will be showers of blessing.

Ezekiel 34:26

In our world of breakneck speed and jammed schedules, we often think we are too busy to stop and receive the blessings God has in store for us. Instead, we blaze through life in a blur, missing the beauties of nature, the comfort of quiet companionship, and the joys found on side trails and unplanned excursions. Then we come to retirement and look back, wondering where it all went.

One day in London, England, a gentleman, rather shabbily dressed, came to the National Gallery carrying a picture under his arm. The man asked to see Sir William Boxall, the governor. He was, however, peremptorily refused an audience, and only after repeated rebuffs was he granted a moment’s interview.

The stranger intimated that he had a painting in his possession that he wished to give to the National Gallery, and he began to unbuckle the straps around it to show the painting within.

Sir William, however, brusquely ordered him either to leave it or take it away altogether, saying that he was too busy to look at it.

“But you had better have one glance—I ask for no more,” said the stranger.

Again Sir William refused, and he was just on the point of turning away when the covering fell off the picture and there was revealed one of Terborch’s masterpieces, which the governor himself, some time previously, had failed to gain, though he had offered six thousand pounds for it.

“My name is Wallace,” said the stranger quietly, “Sir William Wallace, and I came to offer this picture to the National Gallery.”

“I almost fainted,” related Boxall later.

Father of mercies, please help me to slow down and enjoy the blessings you have for me. Nothing is more important than taking the time to share life’s joys with you. Amen.