Confession: sometimes I withhold blessings from others. Maybe I don’t pay a compliment that’s deserved because part of me is jealous. Maybe I don’t bestow an encouraging word to a child whose behavior angers me. Maybe I disagree with my husband and then don’t extend an olive branch out of pride.
Everyone loses, even if I’m the only one aware that it’s happened.
I recently heard preached, “Your mind is a reflection of your actions. When you do right you will feel right.” Feeling right isn’t found in the quest for self-esteem, but by esteeming others. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” ~Philippians 2:3
We hold the power each and every day to bestow blessings. It doesn’t require money in our bank account or fancy credentials. Look your child in the eye and give your undivided attention; drop a note in the mail to the friend who weighs on your heart; text your husband just to tell him he’s loved.
Stop and listen to a friend who needs your ear, even if you don’t know what to say.
Knowing that God sacrificed his only son for us and Jesus laid down his life to save ours, how can we justify withholding blessings within our power to bestow?
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by Dawn Camp, My Home Sweet Home
ABOUT DAWN CAMP
Dawn is a homeschooling mother of eight and online shop owner who lives life with a camera in one hand and a glass of sweet tea in the other. A Photoshop...
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Dawn, thank you for this transparent post. I have suffered from this ‘pride’ issue in the past…and God has been loving and helping me own up to it, take responsibility for it…and has forgiven me. It has cost me a few friends along the way…that I have hurt…and I have apologized to them…sought forgiveness…but, the hurt is there/was there and the friendships probably never to be restored. I see the cost….and have found new humility through repentance…. I am now sitting at his feet….changing…a little more each day and focusing on Him, not me and finding freedom in the fact…that I know…HE has forgiven me and desires a relationship with me Thank you!!!
Rebecca, it’s tough isn’t it? The toughest part is being honest with yourself and realizing that it’s a pride issue.
Thank you from one hoarder to another!
Working on giving more away.
Me, too, Wanda. May you be blessed and bless others in it!
Thank you.
Oh thank you for this Dawn, so much to meditate and act on! Blessings to you and your family!
thank you so much for this very timely word!!
Great word – thanks! ;-)
I think we’re all blessing and grace hoarders to an extent, but I adore your transparency about it. It’s a reminder to me that it’s a win-win when I allow myself to do the right thing. Thanks for sharing today, Dawn!
Dawn, convicting post…I will think on this for quite some time….grace and blessing hoarders….God help me be a giver of grace and blessings instead of a hoarder.
Feeling right isn’t found in the quest for self-esteem, but by esteeming others…
this is exactly right!
Thanks for the wonderful reminder!
I suffer from pride at times and find it hard to bless others–especially when I’m not feeling it.
The adage that giving is better than receiving is soo very true. The instant I give a compliment or do something for someone–I get something back. I can sometimes get back another compliment for myself. I think that is God’s way of saying “Well done good servant”.
Bless you for your timely words!
Your comment totally illustrates that idea that “when you do right you will feel right.” Thank you!
My mouth flew open when I read the title to this post because I was just talking with a friend about this SAME thing. Yes, people can hoard blessings. The Lord has blessed me and my family with so much and is STILL blessing me today and I can’t really “receive” the blessing fully for my hoarding ways. My sister (in)couraged me to let go and act on the FAITH that I “claim” I have in God. I don’t want my FAITH to just be a claim but a real source for my life. I believe I was lead to this post today.
Kathy, I love your comment. I’m thankful that the post spoke to you today!
Enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for sharing. YES!! I want to share my blessings, whether just a word, undivided attention, or a gift. Most of all I want to share JESUS, what better blessing could I have to share with others??
You’re right Amy, He’s the greatest blessing to share!
WOW that is all I can say! Thank you for this post. Sometimes we are so focused on ourselves that we cannot see past that. We cannot fully receive the blessings that God wants for us unless we share those blessings with others. Can you see the light bulb? Have a blessed day:)!
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