Showers of blessing

If you grew up in church, especially protestant and midwestern, you probably know the song “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing.”  It was an upbeat, happy song, one I sang for all my years growing up, and I probably knew all 5 verses at one point in my life. 

There shall be showers of blessing,

Oh, that today they might fall…

This was a favorite phrase of mine, in verse 4, I think.  I look at it now and I like that the whole song was asking, and even believing that showers of blessing would fall, but it wasn’t assuming that it would be today.  Yet in this section, we would all sing in agreement that it sure would be nice if it were today.

Well, today we received showers of blessing.  I can’t come up with a better way to say it.  Though, the truth is that we’ve been receiving some good sprinkles the last couple weeks. 

One day it was a card with some cash from a “Secret Santa” at M’s work.  Humbling.

One day it was a couple of gift cards from the Secret Sisters at my MOPS chapter.  Encouraging.

One day it was a gift card from a very thoughtful relative who picked up on a way to sweeten my days.  Amazing.

One day it was another relative sharing a gift card they received and didn’t need. Exactly what we needed that day for necessities. Perfect timing.

And on and on.  

People have been so very generous these past few weeks, and we’re blown away.  We have honestly been speechless as we open cards and see these gifts.  I’m so very touched by the thoughtfulness of people.

In the midst of all this, this week has been discouraging in many ways.  I’m having a hard time with things in my head and keeping a proper attitude of holiday spirit and thankfulness for all that we have.

But today….today I almost collapsed.  I got the mail, began to open it as M was home for lunch. And I stood silent and stared. I turned around and looked at him. No words.  In my hands were 8 gift cards. EIGHT. From 3 different places that can provide us daily-use items.  It came from our church, simply with a card that said Merry Christmas.  The cards total enough to buy our groceries for 2 whole months. 

Totally overwhelming.

Our church has over 3000 people attending regularly.  I don’t know how they were given our names, and honestly, it is still a little hard for me to believe we’d ever be on one of “those” kinds of lists.  And yet, I don’t want to take away from the generosity of those who have given by being embarrassed. 

We are where we are.  Simple as this is, it’s been so very tough for me to accept and acknowledge without disclaimer.  We are doing everything in our power to live within our means, no matter what that looks like each day or how “against the flow” it may be.  We do have many people in our lives who are so generous, and we do not take one bit of that for granted. 

I look at these gifts as God’s way of saying, “Keep it up, you WILL get there.   You’re on the right path.”  I’m appreciative of those in our life who continue to encourage us, who can see how our lifestyle has changed and know that it’s a difficult adjustment, yet they acknowledge the tough choices we’re making to do what we know is the right thing for our family in the long run.

I praise God for how he’s provided.  In a million different ways, from gifted minivans to gifts of time and free babysitting to gift cards to QT.  They are all SO very valuable, and we receive them knowing that no matter who signed the card or purchased the gift, they come from our Lord through the hands of those who have made themselves available to be used by Him. 

There shall be showers of blessing

This is the promise of love

There shall be seasons refreshing

Sent from the Savior above.

So if you’ve had a part, whether we know your name or not… Thank you.  Thank you. Thank you!  Our deepest appreciation goes out to you.  And we intend to keep giving to those we are brought in contact with as well… for this is the way God intended us to live:  Giving sacrificially and receiving gratefully, always looking to give again.