Friday, August 22, 2014

By: Gwen Hit

Never Overlook the Second Part

Genesis 12:2 .... I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 

When my son was in middle school, he would arrive home before I did. Because he was a growing boy, he was starving ... well, maybe not starving but very hungry after a long day at school! However, instead of eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or leftovers from the night before, he began cooking "personal-sized" meals for himself.

One night after proudly telling me what he had cooked for HIMSELF earlier that afternoon, I asked him why hadn't he cooked enough for the rest of us. He just looked at me as if he had not thought of that possibility. In his youthful thinking, he was only considering himself - his hunger. He had not even considered what he could be doing for others.

Thankfully, once he realized that he could be a great blessing to the rest of the family by cooking for us as well, he became a major contributor to our family meal preparation. In addition, when he began driving, he assumed a large portion of the grocery shopping responsibilities as well!

As I reflected on this memory, I realized that many of us do what my young son did ... we satisfy our hunger ... we take care of our own needs WITHOUT realizing that we are failing to bless others. In today's scripture, God promises to bless us, BUT He also declares that He expects us to bless others through our blessings.

My challenge to you today is to never to overlook the second part in receiving God's blessing ... always remember to bless others in return for what you receive. Know that God freely gives to us in order for us to freely give to others.

Dear Lord, I thank You for the blessings that You have bestowed upon my life. My greatest desire is to show my sincere gratitude for all that I have been given by being be a true blessing to those that you have placed in my path.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection: How are you blessing others in your life?