Unexpected Blessings

The other day I happened to watch a movie titled, Ordinary Miracles. It is based on a true story from Louisville, KY regarding a young newly widowed father of two small girls, ages 8 and 5, and the unexpected kindness of an alcoholic hairdresser. While the mother of the young girl's health was declining, it was discovered that the youngest daughter had a rare genetic disease and that kidney transplant in the near future was the only means for her survival.

The first interaction the hairdresser has with the family is at the funeral of the young mother. Unbeknownst to anyone, she has decided her mission in life is to help this little girl in whatever way she can. So, still hungover and in the same clothes from the night before, she stumbles into the little church after the funeral ceremony has begun.

Now, what unfolds is nothing short of a miracle, as this hairdresser raises thousands for the family within the first week, but she isn't through there.

Before it is all said and done, she gets the hospital to write-off over $300K in medical expenses, lines up not one but five private airplanes for the family to fly to the nearest transplant hospital should a liver become available, gets the media to cover the story, obtains a helicopter and pilot during a blizzard to fly the family to the airport, and spends countless hours assisting the family through childcare, financial support, accounting, and the list goes on.

As the movie advanced, I placed myself into the position of the young widowed father. My initial response would not be too different from his own as he proclaimed to his mother that "this lady is a mess." Would I stop there? Would I allow her to continue to invade my space, keeping her at an arms distance or would I shun her entirely?

That question seemed to be the doorway through which a dozen more lay behind. Why? Why would I keep her at arms length or shun her? Why or how can I decide who a blessing is going to come from? What do they need to look like, talk like, act like for me to grant them access into my life? What gives me the right to judge the motives, intentions, abilities, or actions of another?

Those questions all painted a clear picture of a man filled with pride. For me to decide that some people are more or less worthy of my time, trust, belief, etc. is to say I can only receive it from others of my stature or better than. That very measure is an indicator of an incredible depth of pride in my own life. A pride that says I am here and you are below or above me.

What if Jesus had conducted himself in the same manner? He wouldn't have any disciples if He lived as such. He couldn't have received anything from others like the alabaster jar of perfume poured on His feet or the triumphal entry into Jerusalem before His arrest and subsequent death on the Cross.

NO! It is the exact message of the Gospel that those who are not worthy are called to bring their gifts: their time, their talents, their worship, their puny offerings, to the only One Worthy in all creation!

So, I repent! Lord, help me to receive Your unexpected blessings into my life no matter how or who they come through and remove the pride that has become so apparent in me!