Do the math, blessings can multiply

     

     Poet Samuel Foss wrote, “Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.”

— The House by the Side of the Road 

     From earliest times, I think that has been my desire to be a friend to people, to help weary travellers along the highway of life, perhaps to nourish and refresh them with an encouraging word, so as to leave them with a blessing. 

     So, it was no accident that I met and married someone such as Nelson Palmer Eagles who became my soulmate and life-long ministry partner. 

     We soon found we shared similar desires. Nels would be the first to describe his extreme bashfulness during those growing up years. 

     Then, an amazing change took place in his personality, when, during his military service, Jesus became central in his life. What changes that made for Nels in many ways. 

     He began to love conversing with anyone, and even during the weeks before his death, he would often suggest, “Let’s go for coffee! Maybe we’ll meet someone we know.” He never allowed a stranger to be in our midst for long. 

          Looking back now, I see God’s many blessings on Nels' and my life throughout the years. 

     Just remembering, I believe helps us have a thankful heart. I also think God wants us to pass on our stories of blessings to the next generations. 

     A common theme throughout scripture, is to Remember the days of old. So, just what do we mean when we say, “We are blessed?” What exactly is a blessing? 

     This being a recent topic of my pastor, it really got me thinking, because I say it a lot. When I say “I am blessed,” does it seem to others that I think I have a special favour or protection from God that others may not have? 

     We sometimes tritely say, “Bless you” when someone sneezes. We may ask someone to ask the blessing at mealtime. Do we not sometimes speak words of God’s blessing in or over someone’s life? 

     My dictionary explain blessing to be — “gratitude, grace or praise, make happy or successful, bestow divine favour on, a religious rite as a blessing on my house or life.”  

     Think of it! We are all blessed in so many different ways. We just need to pause occasionally, and do as the old hymn says, “Count your blessings, Name them one by one, Count your many blessings, See what God has done!” 

     As I do, I find it helps to eradicate smugness, realizing it is not because of human attainment, nor who I am to warrant such blessings. But — Jehovah Jirah, The Lord Provides. 

     I’m learning, nothing tests us quite like blessings. I believe what I do with my blessings is most important and I must be aware each day as to how I can share them. 

     Blessings inspire blessings. Blessings become infectious, and begin to multiply. By the end of this month of May, I will have counted 25 years since moving to my present home in the beautiful Okanagan. 
         

     Presently, I am overseeing a renovation upgrade of my kitchen, with which I believe, Nels would be pleased. 

     Nels always believed it a welcomed obligation to keep in tiptop shape, whatever God had given us. 

     
     Throughout our lifetime together, whichever home we were in, also became home to those we welcomed under our roof — for short, or longer stays as needed. 

     My married days began getting used to living with two men, Nels' brother Lawrence, who lived with us until his own marriage, four years later. 

     Nervous at first, knowing little of how to cook, I soon learned that my brother-in-law was unassuming, quiet and graciously helpful. 

     Our first rented home in North Burnaby saw a variety of numerous house guests — the upstairs suite was, at times, occupied by a needy couple or family member. 

     

     Leaving that quaint tradesman house which had been the hub of our blossoming family life for nearly 13 years, we moved on to a cute, little rancher-style home in East Burnaby. 

     For more than four years, we made a great many memories living in our “pink house,” as we called it. 

     Sharing our home once again, we’ll always carry the memory of finding temporary sleeping space for the Robertson family, having returned from living in northern B.C. 

     Adding to the mix, my sister Merle, husband George and their three growing boys, it caused our combined family to show an extra abundance of love, patience and Christmas spirit during that winter of ’67. 

     Watching our family grow with all its demands, the thought of owning our own home seemed merely, a dream. Yet our dream came true when Nels found out, that as a veteran he was eligible for assistance in the building of a home. 

     Now, it seemed to be payback time—  as the Robertsons graciously housed our family during the period when we were forced to move from the rancher we were renting, due to it being put on the market for sale. Also, our new home was being built and wasn't ready for possession. 

     Soon, our home in Surrey became blessed with several young people finding their way under our roof, for short or longer periods of time. 

• What can you say when daughter Debi presents a convincing argument that a needy teenager should become our foster daughter? 

• Or a son Dave who goes to bat for a friend who needs room and board while attending college? 

• Or, a nephew from Ontario working to become established in the West? 

• Surprise overnight buddies of Roger’s would become visible in the morning, as I checked the downstairs rec-room. 

• Even my own mother, Lena Estabrooks shared our home with us, for the better part of one year, (after having moved out west with her son, Vincent, who came in search of employment).
  

• Vincent too, shared our home in Surrey, with nearly two acres of land in which he parked his travel trailer — Vincent spent many wonderful years with us.

     I guess, we felt very grateful for our home and wanted to share it with others. 

     When you live within the bounty of Blessing and God’s Spirit nudges, it’s pretty difficult to say “no” to a need. 

     Retirement at last, for us both, with a move to our present home, the ongoing saga of God’s blessings continues. 

     I so miss that guy who joyfully shared in helping to make our home a welcoming house by the side of the road.  

     With hospitality, being one of my spiritual gifts God has  given me — I cannot but carry on. 

     But, as Job said in the Bible, “only a few years will pass before I go on the journey of no return.” (Job 16:22)

     Meanwhile, He has written my name in His day-timer  so no worry!   

     

     “Two things I ask of you, O Lord; …give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much, and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God.” 

 — Proverbs 30:7-9

— beulah