Blessings — A Two-Way Street

By Lynn Ludwick

As Thanksgiving approaches, “blessings” are on my mind. The blessings I receive—I cherish them, but shouldn’t it be a two-way street? Am I source of blessing to others?

I pondered that thought at breakfast recently. In the early morning quiet, with my hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee, I sat at the kitchen table and watched the Rogue River bounce by on its endless course to the ocean. The muffin on my plate was from the freezer, made with peaches Alan and I had purchased at a Washington fruit stand in August. We stored the boxes of fruit in the basement, and from them I learned some lessons about the effect people have on each other.

On the positive side, we enjoyed fresh peaches eaten over the sink with juice dripping down our chins, as well as in muffins and in a hot crisp topped with ice cream. We enjoyed each delicious bite of the peaches—they both nourished and pleased us. And when I made a crisp for our neighbors, a thank you for feeding our cat while we were gone, their smiles assured me they felt special and honored.

On the other hand, rot spreads. If a rotten peach lay by itself, I tossed just that one. However, if it touched a good peach, before long fuzzy mold literally glued the two together. The one corrupted the other and they both ended up in the compost pile.

Other peaches looked great on the outside, but were rotten at the core. Ever dealt with people like that? They appear kind and helpful to outward appearances, but as you become better acquainted, you uncover poison on the inside. Oh my—do I have any rot buried deep? A contemplation, something I’d best go over with God. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

I want to be like the good peaches. If I’m blessed, I’ll bless others. And I am indeed blessed. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits…” Psalm 68:19 I can sing the Doxology with heartfelt gratitude. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…” However, God doesn’t intend that I become a stagnant pool. Jesus is Living Water, and wants me to be a stream through which His bounty flows, some for me, some for others.

But back to peaches. I don’t want to grow a rotten core or sport a moldy exterior, corrupting those around me. The only way I can keep out of the compost pile myself is if I remain attached to the branch and undergo its nourishment and the pruning of the Master Gardener. And if I’m ever to be counted a blessing to others, I’d best cling tightly. Further, God promises the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). We’re talking thoughts, motivations, words, actions—service to others, even sacrificially so (though holding my new granddaughter doesn’t count).

In Acts 1:8 Jesus suggested a pattern for spreading that fruit: “…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” I’d best start with the person across from me at the kitchen table, then my neighbors—literally, and those in my community, my state, my nation, and around the world.

In a few weeks I’ll gather with my family to enjoy my favorite meal and count my blessings, one by one and by the dozen. And as the pumpkin pie settles, I’ll consider how I may be a blessing to my family and others in the coming days.

“…whatever a man sows, that he will also reap… And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all…” Galatians 6:7, 9-10

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” Matthew 7:12

Lynn Ludwick writes from Shady Cove, Oregon. Lynniegirl45@hotmail.com