Blessings…
Another misunderstood anomaly.
Most can easily identify the ones that illuminate goodness and light…
They are everywhere, really.
You don’t need too much effort to find them. They stand out, in smiles and good deeds and healthy children. Through wedding days and babies born and graduations. Even the smallest blessings are the biggest at times… those precious moments of revelation, or beautiful words of encouragement or simply a gorgeous radiant sun soaked day. Unexpected hugs, deals, friends…that appear right before us.
Ah- this is the good stuff, isn’t it?
Blessings…
They shine from the mountaintops of our lives-
The glow is easily seen on the horizon.
Healing.
Laughter.
Forgiveness.
Love.
Relationships.
Dreams.
Safety.
Joy.
And we thank our God for all the good.
At least I do.
Everyday.
Because there is a LOT of it.
Everywhere.
But what about the darkness?
Those moments that hit us hard, push us down, and wind us around a twisted mangled mess of circumstances that fray frazzled nerves, break tender hearts and wound weary souls…
Do we dare call those blessings?
Is there actually light there?
Lately, I’ve been listening to this one song over and over again. I do that- when one particular song speaks to me. I have done this my entire life…
It just takes one song to lift me out of my place and take me to another. In it, I can find a freshly revealed source of strength. I remember every one of these ‘chosen’ songs, over the years of life events that screamed for my attention. They mark times that somehow changed me, shifted my life into a new direction or my heart toward transformation.
Oh the power of a song.
Do you do this? I wonder…
The song on my heart during this season of suffering for many I love, is “Blessings” by Laura Story.
Perhaps blessings are different than what we know them to be. Maybe, some of our darkest hours are a blessing in disguise. Could it be?
Sometimes, it’s just too dark to see.
Yes?
But looking back and seeing what became of those moments~
I realize there are miraculous blessings hidden deep beneath the circumstances that slowly sifted through-
And as the darkness slowly dwindled down to an aching memory, the blessings lived on. I see God revealed in my “thousand sleepless nights” when I felt lost and afraid and hopeless. I found His Purpose in my transformed perspective that brings clarity and confidence in His loving grace. I’ve learned to trust more, that His Goodness is beneath the grief, His Power is beyond the pain, and His Hope is Higher than the healing.
Perhaps the glow of God shines brightest in the darkness… Much like the moon in the night.
Sometimes when things are wonderfully lit with goodness in this world, we don’t see the shining embers of His Greatness.
Maybe it takes the power of our world to go out, so that He can ignite His Light within.
Does it take a black out to recognize the original power source to be revealed? Is it possible that we are often too distracted to be delivered?
Or even feel we need to be.
Dare I ask you if you have ever crumbled in despair and called out to God and asked if He was really there? I suppose that’s when we seek God most, because we need something that is beyond or beneath or higher than ourselves. Lord knows that is when I needed a savior most. I mean, who asks to be saved when they feel they don’t need to be saved?
Hmm.
And although at times the darkness seems to overcome and take hold of our lives through trials we endure- if we would dare to discover more of Him beyond, beneath, and higher than our living…
Just maybe we too, can see “His Mercies in disguise”.
“Blessings”
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we’d have faith to believe
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It’s not our home
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
Never more did I need this as the last week has bee at the very least trying and crazy, too. I do pretty much agree with you on the subject of blessings and definitely do exist even in the not so great times, too. Thanks for the reminder, Chris;)
Bless your heart Janine!! I do hope and pray things have settled for you and the girls!! Praying you had a beautiful Holiday hun… and wish you a gorgeous Christmas season!!
This is so true. When I have went through some of the darkest times in my life is when I learned some of the most powerful lessons.
Ah… so well said Keisha! So well said. <3
I think that sometimes we just need that reminder, to stay close and guard our hearts. We have to, or at least I do, remember that we don’t always understand that “why?” that we so frequently let slip from out hearts and minds. I had an incredibly dark week last week and found myself saying nothing but…why…when all I really needed to say was Jesus. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post.
Oh Beth! I have had a horribly dark week recently, and I too have been tossed into the storm asking why. I search tirelessly for His Purpose in it all.. and I find such comfort in knowing there is always a reason for everything. I am starting to see it a bit more clearer now- but lots more restoring and praying to do to discover more of what God wants out of my circumstances.
I’m so glad you came by to read my post and share your heart. Thank you so very much, Beth! <3
Beautiful Chris! I think God is there in the darkness, but sometimes we don’t realize it until we are in the light again and can look back. I was just talking with a friend last week. She is considering starting a blog because she has been through some serious darkness, but has come out on the other side. she has realized the many ways God was with her through it all and wants to find a way to share that with others.
I always try to remind myself that when the storm is done, or calmed a bit- I will have discovered something that is valuable- meaningful and purposeful in it. I would LOVE to read your friend’s blog if she has started it! She will be a voice that can be used for hope and inspiration to those who so desperately need it! Let me know if/when she starts, okay?
I saw Laura Story last year. LOVE HER!
I listened to her music A LOT after Kay. .
Yessssssssss, the songs brought flickers of light to a dark soul.
Also, I listened to “I Can Only Imagine” over and over and over until the CD broke down.
Now, it’s “Take Me to The King.” WOW.
Thank U, Chris.
You are a light in the blogmsphere. xxxxxxxx LOVE from MN.
Ah… I need to go find more of Laura Story’s songs!!! I also have a true deep attachment to “I Can Only Imagine” for different reasons, but the beauty and hope in that song’s message is so powerful!!
Off to go find “Take Me to The King”. 🙂
I love this, Chris. I can honestly say some of the biggest blessings in my life have come out of a time of darkness. I didn’t even realize how they came about until looking back and realizing things that had happened were truly blessings in disguise and my life wouldn’t have been the same without them. It’s truly amazing when I think about it, to be honest. The next time I am feeling low, I’m going to actively remember this. As usual, your beautiful and thoughtful words just speak to my soul! –Lisa
Oh Lisa! I am SO deeply touched by your precious comment and I love your gorgeous heart! Yes, my dear friend. May you and I both be reminded that there is truly purpose and reason for our darkest turns… we just have to trust that, and see the record behind us. <3
The darkness is not always my favorite – I spend way too many hours awake and alone at night – worst time in the world for those evil thoughts to creep in!!!
Right when I read the line “oh the power of a song” I heard the theme song from Cheers (we might have introduced the boys tonight and Chris is showing them clips online) – I love that song because it is true, we do want to go where everyone knows us and we feel at home.
Oh, how I get those long moments in the dark when our worst fears and anxieties creep in. Why are they always so magnified in the middle of the night? I am always so grateful for a fresh new perspective to come in the morning… that is always my prayer when I am tormented at night. That song is a good one, Kim! There is something so comforting in having people that truly know you and love you surrounding you!
I know all about the darkness and the light, and how big the blessings are when you step out of the dark times. Or really they were there all along. I truly believe in such amazingness.
I know you do, sweet love. You illuminate the richness of such amazingness… <3
I needed this tonight. So much. I’ve been yelling at my husband about what is and what is and what is and some of it is horrifying and just well, HARD and dark and we also have the biggest blessing ever – our son. Thank you.
Oh bless your precious heart, Kristi!!! I read your comment a long time ago, and my heart just poured prayers for you… Life is so hard. Cling to the blessings.
Love!
I don’t have a song, I have a phrase. a very small one.
It’s from Milton’s Paradise Lost: “darkness visible”
Now, how can the dark be seen you ask!!? right? but I don’t know, I think of it as connected. The light always comes after the night. All things done in darkness are eventually revealed in light. I guess it helps remind me that the darkness, this shadow….is only a passing thing. Temporary. The Light is on The Way!!!
And instead of fumbling and stumbling around, all I have to do is stand in the quiet stillness and wait for the illumination.
I love that Leslie… so very much. Such truth my dear friend! <3
What a beautiful song sharing such truth. It is so scary in the dark, but really, most of my growth and many of my blessings are when I go through that dark and realize I am not alone.
Yeah… me too Leah. I think that is when we can see God most clearly actually. When we are stripped of things here, He is more visible. We can truly discover His blessings – His Hand on it all.
I LOVE that song. And what a good point! I never really thought about it that way!
Thanks Brittany!! XO
This is wonderful. Sharing with my mom group. thank you!
Thank you SO much my friend. I pray it blessed your mom group! XOXO
Yes I have crumbled in despair and asked where God is…more times than I care to reveal:(. Oh I know that darkness…
Your post is beautiful and for me, thought provoking.
I am in this darkness now, Allie. It’s so hard, but I keep praying for peace to settle in my heart after this storm. I hope somehow and someway you feel God’s comfort and love when you crumble, my sweet friend. <3
Beautiful post my friend! “Blessings” has always been a favorite of mine as well. Saw her in concert and loved it all the more when she explained that she wrote the song when her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Thanks for the reminder of the amazing message of this song, I feel a connection to the lyrics like never before!
Hard to see the light at times, sometimes there are angels (heavenly and earthly) that reminds us of the blessings!
Thank you angel!
I love you. I am always inspired by your unending strength, my precious friend. Praying you can always find the blessings in those messy and dark moments, lovey. Thank God for US! <3