Blessings

David and I went to the VA today in Phoenix for some routine appointments.  Going to the VA is not like going to any other hospital.  At almost every turn there is someone with a missing limb, in a wheelchair, or limping.  It's incredibly humbling.  I turned to David while we were waiting to be called for an appointment and I said, "We're really blessed."  He agreed with me. 

But then the song "Blessings" by Laura Story came to mind.  I was humbled this time but in a different way.  I am completely misled if I believe that I am more blessed compared to anyone else for any reason, including my health, wealth, status, etc.  God's blessings are not defined by my human standards.

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

(Chorus)

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if the thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Chorus

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

Chorus

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

-Lyrics from "Blessings" by Laura Story