We have so many blessings in our lives, I believe its true we could never enumerate them all. So many of our blessings go unnoticed and just become part of the commonplace. One of the blessings for me, and I’m sure it is for you, is the blessing of someone’s presence in our life. Day to day we may not take particular notice, but when those persons are absent we feel that absence intensely.
I’ve had the good fortune over my many years to have some truly wonderful people who have blessed my life. Family, of course, are certainly a part of that. My mom and dad were real blessings I never took the time to acknowledge as much as I should have. Having adopted me as an abandoned infant, that was a true blessing. My dad worked a lot, but my mom stayed home with me until I entered the fifth grade. All of my early years were spent with her, she was my world. She consciously taught me many things I needed to learn. But what she really taught me was unconditional love. She gave it unceasingly. That’s not to say I got away with murder, hardly. She held me to account for all the stuff I tried to get away with. But even in those moments, I never doubted she loved me and would do anything for me. I feel this is probably true for a great many of us and our experiences with our parents.
When I was diagnosed with bladder cancer, my Antoine was right there by my side. He took me to every one of my chemotherapy sessions, always making sure I was comfortable and settled before going on to work. He would always show up 6 hours later to bundle me into the car and take me home. He was my caregiver in my convalescence, seeing to all that entailed. And it entailed a lot, I can assure you. That was the one and only time I missed being in church on Easter Sunday. Even though I didn’t have much of an appetite, he fixed a marvelous meal, including a coconut cream pie. He despised coconut, but he knew it was my favorite. He was a true blessing.
In all the churches I have served over the years, there have been persons who were a real blessing to me and to my ministry. Persons who could see the possibilities I saw and envisioned. Persons who stood with me in the rough and difficult times. Persons who helped bring ministry to fruition. These are people who were a blessing to me. Some of them continue to be a blessing to me, whether they know it or not.
I’ve always heard it is better to give people their accolades (flowers) while they are living. When a person dies, no matter how extravagant the arrangement we may send to the funeral, they will never enjoy it. Blessings need to be recognized and celebrated.
If I started to name all the persons in my life who have been a true blessing to me, I would invariably miss a few. None of us make it through this life all on our own. Someone is there cheering us on, giving us a hand up, propping us up when we are failing. God blesses each of us with persons such as this, even if they go unnoticed. Some persons are simply gifts from God, and even they may go around unaware of what they say, what they do, and how much of a difference they make in other people’s lives.
Forgive me, I’m going to get personal here. One of my greatest blessings while serving at Preston Hollow UMC has been the support of my church family. I don’t know that I could ask for any better group of persons to surround me in my ministry.
I’m saddened this week, my friend Margaret Hamilton is leaving to move with her husband Carl to Nashville, Tennessee. From the day I arrived at PHUMC, Margaret has stood by me side. She has encouraged me with her words and actions. When my Antoine passed away, she was a huge support for me. When we changed our worship format, she was right there supporting us all the way. I could not have imagined a blessing as true and good as what God provided me in the person of Margaret. I am going to miss her greatly, as I know the will church will also.
Blessings come and go in our lives, we don’t generally get to hold on to them forever. They are elusive things, ephemeral in nature. We can’t hold them too tightly, because that’s not how they have been designed. They are given to us to bless us in ways we can’t even imagine. I’m glad that’s the nature of blessings, because I know I would never know what to ask God for to help me, but God certainly knows, and certainly provides.
Because I know what a blessing Margaret has been to me and to PHUMC, I have no doubt she will be a blessing in the next congregation she settles in. It doesn’t make her going any less painful. I will grieve my friend’s absence, but I know her impact will continue to be felt for a long time to come. I pray God will bless others with her giving and serving nature. I pray for God to watch over her and Carl as they start a new journey. I thank God because of who God created Margaret to be.
My friends, please take the time to tell those who are real blessings to you, how much they are appreciated and loved. It doesn’t take much time to reveal to someone how they have blessed your life, but it might surprise and delight them beyond measure.
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom