Blessed

As I sit stuck in traffic on my way home, I have nothing to do but reflect on the week.
What is being blessed?
Is being blessed having a house to live in?
Is it having enough cars for errands?
Is it not having to worry about the next paycheck?
Is a blessing knowing that you will have a place to spend Christmas?
Is it all the stuff you have at your fingertips?
Are you blessed if you can help others?
Maybe.

But this week, I discovered a new meaning of being blessed.

Being blessed is knowing that the people who you love are safe.

Blessed is having people who will fly from the south and drive from another state to clean your home with you.

Blessed is realizing how love you are.

Blessed is having the hope that others lack.

Blessed is your families embrace.

Blessed is a warm meal, when you couldn't make it for yourself.

Blessed is knowing that, one day, you will be home again.

Blessed is knowing that you are loved.

Blessed is feeling that love in the chorus others sing when you cannot speak.

If I had all of things that I had named, if my family had them, we would never have been blessed in those other ways. For years my family has blessed others with love, hope, and a home. Now, others have blessed us.

Is it easy to accept those blessings? Not always.

Is it painful to loose things and homes? Yes.

Would I go back... no.

There is a song that says, "Your (God's) love is like a hurricane."

I have a deeper understanding of that.

A hurricane can take everything away.

It can decimate everything you thought you needed, thought you wanted.

It breaks.

It covers.

And in the aftermath, it is bringing a community together.

It is bringing healing.

This is only the beginning...