Some time last year, I was led to write a short story. It concerned a young Christian woman who was depressed because she felt she wasn’t receiving “favour”. She was unhappy because, in her opinion, she was giving but wasn’t receiving. As she was beefing in prayer about this, a neighbour brought her five succulent mangoes. She loved mangoes very much but often missed them during their season due to constant official trips. It was not until she finished eating the mangoes that she realised they were God’s answer to her prayer for favour. She wanted an SUV, wads of cash and expensive gifts but she got mangoes, plucked free from her neighbour’s compound.
You can read that funny story, if you wish, to get a better picture of the girl’s circumstances, the event that precipitated her depression, her complaints to God and her reaction to the gift she got. The story generated many responses from readers on Christians’ expectations with regard to blessings from God and the whole idea of ‘big’ and ‘small’ blessings.
That reminds me of another post in which I joyfully recalled some long-held desires which God fulfilled for me after many years. One reader did not understand the point of the post, which is that God never forgets our prayers and longings. She basically said I was impressed with little things. But is any blessing really little?
If you ask me, when it comes to the blessings of God, nothing is small and worth disregarding. When we have something, we take it for granted. But when we lose it or see someone who lacks it, we realise how valuable it is.
Take breathing for instance. Most of us aren’t even aware of that physiological process as it goes on in our bodies. Air moves in and out of our nostrils smoothly and soundlessly. We probably haven’t ever thanked God specifically for the ability to breathe, an ability that could end our lives in a few minutes if we lose it. Then we visit a sick relative hooked to a respirator and voila, we discover how essential the ability to breathe unassisted is.
The same thing applies to quantity. When we are well-to-do, hundreds of thousands or even millions in currency mean nothing to us. But when our finances go south, we consider even small denominations precious.
You can read that funny story, if you wish, to get a better picture of the girl’s circumstances, the event that precipitated her depression, her complaints to God and her reaction to the gift she got. The story generated many responses from readers on Christians’ expectations with regard to blessings from God and the whole idea of ‘big’ and ‘small’ blessings.
That reminds me of another post in which I joyfully recalled some long-held desires which God fulfilled for me after many years. One reader did not understand the point of the post, which is that God never forgets our prayers and longings. She basically said I was impressed with little things. But is any blessing really little?
If you ask me, when it comes to the blessings of God, nothing is small and worth disregarding. When we have something, we take it for granted. But when we lose it or see someone who lacks it, we realise how valuable it is.
Take breathing for instance. Most of us aren’t even aware of that physiological process as it goes on in our bodies. Air moves in and out of our nostrils smoothly and soundlessly. We probably haven’t ever thanked God specifically for the ability to breathe, an ability that could end our lives in a few minutes if we lose it. Then we visit a sick relative hooked to a respirator and voila, we discover how essential the ability to breathe unassisted is.
The same thing applies to quantity. When we are well-to-do, hundreds of thousands or even millions in currency mean nothing to us. But when our finances go south, we consider even small denominations precious.
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