Bucket of Blessings

I am a football fan. I love watching my team every week with my gear on. I keep up with the players and look forward to the season each year. I grew up watching football and enjoyed the rituals our family established around this sport. The connection I felt with my dad during this time still remains in my heart as I cheer “our” team on. It doesn't matter if we win or lose, I remain a die hard fan. One of the rituals I love in football is when a team wins a playoff or at most, the Super Bowl, the team surprisingly pours a bucket of water over the coaches head. It is a sign of gratitude and celebration. As I witness this I imagine that for an instant it takes his breath away.

This is the image I see when I stop and savor my life at this moment. I am in awe of the countless blessings in my life. They are piling up and piling up and then poured over my head! I have to catch my breath every time I ponder on them.

The holiday season and year end reflection create a space to acknowledge, evaluate and receive my blessings. There is a catch though, I have to stop and take the time to see, reflect and count them. One night last week my kids and I went outside to look at the beautiful moon. Just one of the blessings of the day. I felt blessed to be healthy enough to walk around the lake and live in a thriving city. I am blessed with joy upon waking each morning.

I am learning to receive these blessings without bracing myself for challenge and trial. I am more keenly aware of the depth of blessings because I have walked a long path of trial, sometimes in the dark with no light at the end of the tunnel. Each day was a challenge to trust that I will reach a summit and have a time of rest. I truly believe that path created in me a capacity to embrace a season of blessing and flourishing wholeheartedly and with gratitude. And that is where the fountain of joy comes from and it takes my breath away!

Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. Luke 6:38