Burdened By Blessings

Crisp yellow leaves scratched and crunched the surface of the concrete driveway. Buried underneath were the pudgy toes of my 11 month old son. In an effort to kill time, we found ourselves outside waiting for my mother to take us back to meet my husband in Lampasas. It had been four days since I felt the comfort of my own bed, put away my own dishes, or chased children within walls of my half-finished home in the country. So very tired of being away, I was itching to get back.

In spite of my mood, there was much gratitude for the leaves surrounding the driveway of my sister’s house. They kept my very restless boy fascinated, with his hands and feet occupied. We crumbled dead leaves, tossed them in the air, banged on tree trunks with twigs, and pretended to eat them… numerous times. A sweet end to a very tiring trip. 

My thoughts turned to earlier in the morning when my sister stormed into the house disgruntled, “UGH. All these stupid leaves! They’re everywhere!” She even told me that her husband was considering buying a contraption that would take care of the problem. The abundance of leaves had now covered their roof, carport, front and back yard. 

Problem? Too many leaves? I thought. How could something so picturesque bother someone so much? I think it looks gorgeous out here! 

Though I understood the problem they might create, I couldn’t understand the frustration. 

Yet, isn’t it so, church?

Aren’t we often bothered by our blessings? Burdened by abundance? If all that had been given by the Lord were laid out before us, would we be grateful, or would we find fault?  

The mind is a battlefield where Satan stays camped out right behind enemy lines. He’d like nothing more than to have us believe that everything given is a burden in disguise. 

We have way too much stuff in this house! I can never find anything!

All these bills are piling up. I can’t keep up with these payments!

I signed up to help but I’ve overcommitted myself with all of these things going on. 

These kids... Lord, help me... I need a break. 

If I have to deal with my family for one more thanksgiving, I’m not sure I’ll come out alive. 

What if all of this isn’t so bad? What if we spoke it into being something completely different? What if instead we said, “Thank You, Lord for these opportunities to serve you. To grow these beautiful children you’ve bestowed to me. Thank you for the warmth of a heater and the cool breeze of my AC. For the memories made in this house filled with things I can’t seem to part with. Thank you for where I come from, so that I can appreciate where I’m going. You are a God who has blessed me beyond measure.” 

In Philippians 4:12-13 Paul writes, I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

I must confess that while waiting for my trip to finally end, I had forgotten the abundance of love poured out onto me from my Father. I had neglected to find praise-worthy moments because I was so busy thinking that all of these people and circumstances were getting in the way of an otherwise successful visit. 

The truth is- My son had become ill overnight, and I nursed him back to health with the help of family members who had great suggestions! Instead, I had focused on how badly I wanted to find a way back home. My mother held a cook-out at her home so that I could see my grandparents, and all I thought about was how noisy it was in the house. I was blessed with the opportunity to attend my nephew’s birthday party, but my main concern was that I couldn’t drive there myself and that I had to be towed around by my sister who is always late. If we were even 5-10 minutes behind, I would mutter “ugh. Seriously?” I’m sure I wasn’t discreet about it either. 

God had given me an abundance!  How did I not see that?! Through free rides, free food, people who adored children, and patient family members who put up with my passive aggressive murmurs. Yet, I couldn’t see the leaves through the mess. My eyes couldn’t see the blessing anymore than my sister could embrace the breath-taking fall foliage in her driveway. I’m so embarrassed to say all of this, but I find hope in God’s redeeming grace. We’ve all been there. And there’s hope for all of us! 

During the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holiday season, we’ll be faced with times like this. I’m comforted by the fact that God loved me enough to open my eyes to these recent mistakes. I’m comforted that He loves me enough to help me recall the goodness He’s bestowed upon me. May He do the same for you. 

The next time we find ourselves burdened by our blessings, I pray we RISE to greet abundance with thanksgiving and praise! May we have eyes to see that which God has given us! May we utilize it to the fullest extent so that His name would be made great! 

Go Forth, Be Blessed, and See Good Things, 

Kari 

Prayer 

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.- Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT  

My friend Melissa Reasoner and I have both walked through a devotional associated with a book called Overwhelmed by My Blessings by Robin Meadows. It’s worth a read for women and men alike. You can find it at the link here: https://www.amazon.com/Overwhelmed-My-Blessings-Encouragement-Moms/dp/1721769927