Everything is a GIFT
One of my friends shared an incident in her life that was scary and deeply troubling. She was at a loss as to what to do. Some time later she realized that what had been a near tragedy turned into a blessing. A solution came to her and she accepted it with gratitude and relief. “I realized,” she said, “that what occurred was actually a gift in disguise. So now whenever anything happens that freaks me out or irritates or puzzles me, I pray, “Dear God, show me the gift in this situation. I can’t see it but I trust you for it.”
I listened carefully to every detail she shared because right then I knew that I, too, could find a ‘gift’ in every one of my challenges. I remember the time Charles and I were trying to sell our home in San Diego so we could purchase one in Santa Cruz County to be close to our daughter Erin and her family.
It sat on the market for months and we were so nervous about the timing because we needed the money from the sale to close escrow on our new home. At the last minute–truly–Charles’ daughter bought our condo. She had just ended a relationship with a roommate and wanted to buy a place of her own. We all realized later that circumstances had to move in her life in order for them to move in our lives. All in all, the sale at that time was a gift to her and to us. All our worrying was for naught.
Finding the gift behind the pain has changed my life over and over and has continued to build my faith. I’m now more easily able to see gifts in every situation in my life–not just the easy and joyful ones but the frightening and uncertain and crazy-making ones, as well.
God is with me, in me, around me in every way. What a relief it is to know that regardless of the circumstances, something good and awesome and wondrous will come from them.
I can now live in greater peace, trusting the Giver, my Lord and my God. And God will do the same for all who call for help.
What gift has come from a challenge in your life? Please share one with us.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2)
oh, Karen, I LOVE this post. So hard to do, but the best option we have to see all of the blessings God has for us when we cannot see them! Thank you.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
SOoooo beautiful, Heidi. Thank you.
Dear Karen Thank you SO much l REALLY needed to read this today as l deal with my middle son and his life choices. I pray to let him live his life and l attend to mine. God is good ALL the time. Thank you Karen Love Wendy x💟
Love hearing from you, Wendy. It’s so difficult to see the gift when we are in pain but I can tell you are doing it.
God never make mistakes! Further, He is able to turn the most challenging of situations (that worry and perplex us) into bountiful gifts. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
God certainly carried you all the way from San Diego to the Santa Cruz area –on the wings of eagles! Makes me think of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Bless you, my dear friend!
Thanks, Glenda. I LOVE this bible verse. It is one of my favorites because it has been so true in my life as it has in yours.
I, too, needed this today.
So happy to hear this, Janet. God knew what you needed, as he always does.
While looking for a job after my divorce, I was ‘led’ to go to a special college and apply for the position to recruit students for the nursing school. I would travel to High Schools, present the program to the students in assembly and talk to the parents as well as the students who were interested. I studied the programs, felt comfortable with the position and looked forward to my first visit which was in Northern Ky. I was in the office at the school getting all the information I needed, closed the briefcase and all I had to do next was pick up the phone and make my reservation at a hotel. For some strange reason I could not do it and felt I could not take the job! I was stunned and did not know what was going on in my brain as I KNEW I would love this as I had been band camp counselor for three years in the highschool where I lived and got along great with the students. I was comfortable with the students so I had nothing to fear in meeting other students. I started to get a little alarmed and knew I had to go talk to the President of the college. He had been very nice, knew about my divorce, etc. He listened carefully and then told me it was perhaps too soon after my divorce to take on this much responsibility and it was okay! He understood, stood up, gave me a hug, wished mme well! About one month later my daughter was almost killed in an auto accident while coming home from college for Spring break. I would have had to resign from my ‘new job’. I slept beside her in the hospital room for almost a month. She needed constant care after she got home. SO, God knew I could not take the job. HE does take care of us if we just listen to Him. ( my daughter is fine even tho she does still have some pain in one leg after 42 years-we feel blest and no complaints) THANK you for this wonderful blog. Blessings, Margaret
Wow, Margaret. This is a powerful story of how God spoke to you and blessed you with a gift even during this painful episode in your life and in your daughter’s.
Wonderful topic…Makes me pause and think. John would say a blessing in disguise…and there were many during our 50+ years of marriage. I wish I had kept a journal. The protective hand of God has been with me all through my life. Of course, sometimes I was not aware of it until years later.
His plan for our lives is perfect.
Thank You, Karen
Hi Joan. Thanks for mentioning John and his comment about’a blessing in disguise.’ I remember him so well. He was kind and funny and full of love for God and others, and especially for you and your girls.
What a difference this kind of attitude makes, Karen. To know that God is FOR us, that he has promised that all things work together for good – for gifting, as you have stated it – in our lives, gives us hope. All the time. Thank you!
Thank you, Carol. I appreciate your comment affirming the goodness of our God in all situations.
Thanks for another perspective. I needed this.
Thank you, Sue. I appreciate your taking a moment to let me know.