Blessed to Bless

I will bless you . . . and you shall be a blessing.

Genesis 12:2

Recommended Reading

Genesis 12:1-3

In recent interviews, pop star Kelly Clarkson, a Grammy-winning singer, said that she might never have children because she is too selfish. "My point of view is that I shouldn't be a mother at all because I'd be horrible. I'm not willing to be that selfless."

Perhaps her honesty is commendable, but all true relationships with family and friends require selfless love, which is an increasingly rare quality in our self-centered world. People today want to be blessed, and they want to enjoy the blessings of affluence, fame, health, and convenience. But God doesn't bless us just so we can enjoy His blessings. He blesses us to make us a blessing to others.

If He has given you a pleasant day, it's so you can be pleasant to others. If He's given you a difficult day, it's so you can learn to comfort others with the comfort He provides. Whether you're a mother, father, son, daughter, friend, or neighbor—you're blessed to be a blessing.

We're "counting" the blessings, our joys we record,

The wonderful mercies like sunbeams outpoured;

But let us remember while praising the Lord,

Somebody else needs a blessing.

                                Eliza Hewitt

(c) David Jeremiah, Turning Point, Tuesday, October 9 2007