Unexpected Blessings
I am still constantly amazed at the things that have happened through my blog. Encouragement has been given, smiles {and tears} have ensued, inspiration has flown freely and lasting friendships have been made. I never dreamed that when I started this blog, it would grow to be where it is today or that I would build/ develop such amazing bonds with my readers. The title of this post really does say it all….
Last week, after a particularly rough week of recovering from a concussion and the craziness of trying to work in the midst of it, I was feeling downright exhausted and dare I say, defeated. In the past, I considered myself to be a fighter in life, but with blow after blow from the accident, my thoughts on this have started to dwindle. What started out to be a ignited fire to figure out what was wrong with me and get to the root has slowly progressed to frustration, disappointment and many other feelings. Don’t get me wrong, we are still actively trying to find out what is wrong with me, but I think I’m a little more realistic in my hopes and mentally telling myself I may need to learn to live life like this.
It’s in these moments of discouragement, frustration and tears, God has a way of bringing sunshine into my darkest days. It could be as small as having my younger brother say he prays for me daily {I nearly bawled when he told me this} to a friend sending an encouraging text or getting REAL mail in the mailbox. Then there are the moments when you get bigger rays of sunshine and your best friend makes you dinner, you receive an abundance of birthday flowers from different people, an unexpected monetary gift to help with medical bills is given, or you have a friend unexpectedly drive out to your house with flowers and a card*. All of these things have happened this last week and I cannot even begin to say how my heart has swelled with joy, love and thankfulness.
I won’t say that these things happen to me often, but I will say that if we look {and sometimes we REALLY need to look}, there are blessings that happen all around us everyday. For example, today my dad offered to cook up some dinner for me. Is this a small thing? Yes. However, it’s a blessing and now I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Let’s see…another blessing that happened today….the Starbucks barista was super cheery when I got my coffee this morning and definitely helped kickstart the day off in a happy way. It’s little things like this that can sometimes go overlooked that I’m learning {and trying to make a conscious effort} to take notice of and be grateful for.
Sweet friends, what unexpected blessings are you thankful for this week? It can be something small or large, I would love to hear about them and rejoice in your blessings with you! Let’s make an effort to take notice of the blessings around us!
*The picture in the graphic featured is with my dear, sweet friend, Robyn. We had gone to church together for years and years but our paths never crossed. After we both started going to different churches, she started following my blog and has been such an amazing source of encouragement, tips on health information and a prayer warrior. So blessed by this gem!
I am so glad you are having unexpected joys in your life when things seem a little out of your control. Those things mean so much more when you look back at them. I decided to think about mine form the last weeks after reading your post. I found several that I might not have fully appreciated until looking back so thanks.
My main one is my husband asking his mom to watch our daughter over night. I did not really understand why but he said we had not had any time alone for over 2 months and even i we just sit and watch TV it would be fun for us and our daughter who totally enjoys sleepovers.
You are so sweet Paulina! Just today I got a FB message from a gal who loves to buy my hand-crafted cards. It is such a blessing to me when someone appreciates my creative work.
Yay! So glad you have people to life you up when you need it! My blessings this week also have to do with spending time with friends, it really is such a gift!
When I am feeling a bit down, I really have to look for my blessings both big and small as well. Right now, my biggest blessing is my husband. Of the two of us, he is the better person and he is so responsible in every aspect of his life. As important as that is, I have been feeling really blessed that he loves to grill and I don’t have to worry much about dinner around here all of the time. I will keep you in my thoughts and hope that you will get some answers soon.
I am happy and blessed to have you and a small group of other crafty Twitter friends. We all have so much in common and can honestly share the good times and bad times and be a support to one another. To think that my love of paper crafting made this all possible is amazing. I love all your posts! Head up, sweetie!
I love this post, and will DM you on twitter about it as well :) There are so many struggles in life and it is so easy to forget about the happy moments. I;m happy to hear you have had some bright moments in between all the pain you’re dealing with! stay strong!
I’m grateful God has given you bright spots this week Paulina!! Knowing your brother prays daily for you is a beautiful thought, another treasured blessing for you. I’ve been blessed with a husband who is also my best friend and our beautiful son. He’s grown and married but will still give us a hug and kiss in the middle of his crowded veterinary clinic waiting lobby!! I do love that boy ;)
Thank you for reminding me to count my blessings, Paulina.
It is only after reading your post that I find so many!
I am really grateful to have gotten married to a man who cares about me more than I do. He is really the find of my life. For the job that I have. My parents who live nearby. My brother who still checks on me.
I truly am blessed to even have found your blog, and be following your blog.
My best wishes and prayers are always there with you.
Hugs,
Vithya
What a wonderful, uplifting post you have written and shared with us all today, Paulina! So happy that you have connected with this friend — she sounds lovely just like YOU! My unexpected blessing came in the mail to me this week … from a brand new friend I also met through blogging. What a fantastic community we have! I received the sweetest, most heartfelt handmade pink rosary in the mail from the sweetest gal named Tina! After hours and hours of e-chats, we have come to the conclusion that we are kindred spirits and twins separated at birth!! I am thankful for our blogging community, such wonderful people who are so generous with their time and talents … and for the blessings of the friends I have in my life :)
Lovely, heartfelt post. Here’s to hoping you had a lovely birthday week and were able to enjoy every moment! I’m also grateful for a good doctor’s appointment myself, yesterday!
Paulina I loved your post ! I love that you talked about finding the blessings in our life because we do all have them. It’s those blessings that help get us through the difficult times. It’s so wonderful that you see it that . I’m sorry you are not feeling well,you are in my prayers .
I am blessed to have such a wonderful loving family and friends! The other day one of my grandchildren 6 mo. Put her arms out to me to hold her …..first time she ever did that and it was to me………melt my heart blessing from an angel! God Bless!