Dear February,
You swept in on a wave of hard and messy. You pushed and shoved so much life into my daily routine, I felt like I was gasping for breath each morning as I woke up. Instead of rising to meet this beautiful month head on, I found myself sinking and grabbing to hold onto solid ground.
But you did not leave me feeling overwhelmed, February. No! You brought lessons of resilience, perseverance, and blessings in the mess and real life examples of the hands and feet of God.
Each year, February marks the passing of another year. Another year older. Another birthday to reflect on whether my goals are closer to the finish line or harder to imagine. This year you brought me the best birthday present ever in the picture of my daddy sitting and eating in the dining room at the rehab facility after several weeks of very difficult circumstances. The first unexpected blessing that showed up in February.
You taught me the lesson of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. A visit from the chaplain one morning made a difference. She blessed my dad and myself with the word “resilience” because at this point my dad was not having anything to do with therapy or his promise for a future. The chaplain described my dad as resilient and in looking it up, I found it means to bounce back. I used the word “perseverance” to describe my dad, explaining that his nature has always been one of pushing through struggles to come out on the positive side. I know this one small conversation slightly changed my dad’s thinking as he heard how two different people described the kind of person he is. God guided the conversation to reset dad’s frame of mind. Another unexpected blessing, but one that showed up at just the right time.
And February – you continued your way through the mess each day as the hard eased up and my breathing evened out. You chose to show up big. You took one overwhelming situation and dissipated it by the hands of God. Everyday became an awareness of hard turned into joy as I looked for the blessing rather than focused on all I had no control over. The Happiness Dare began, led by my friend, Jennifer Dukes Lee. Happiness inched its way into my day as I searched for joy rather than enduring the hard.
Some scenes of happiness
[Tweet “God orchestrates love, comfort and renewed strength as “behind the scenes” blessings.”]
You brought special people in my dad’s life to show him he is never alone. A resident in assisted living who visits dad several times a week. Family members who stop in, pray with him, talk with him and just love on him. Nurses, aides and physical therapists who care deeply. Then there was Sylvia. A true gift of kindness that brought the biggest smile to my dad’s face. A beautiful, gentle soul who was a small blip on the radar of dad’s ordinary days, but one that neither he or I will soon forget. (Read more of her story here.) The hands and feet of Jesus come in all sizes, shapes and ages, but they are never an afterthought. God’s behind the scene orchestration of love, comfort and renewed strength appear as unexpected blessings. His timing is perfect and carefully planned. We just need to be open to see and receive the blessings when they come.
So February, you have ended well after an uncertain beginning. You showed me the power of unexpected blessings and more importantly the nearness of God who is only one prayer away.
Sincerely,
One Who is Looking Forward to March and New Blessings
Linking with:
Emily Freeman for what we learned in February
And for #TellHisStory with Jennifer Dukes Lee
So beautiful! Thanks for your words!
You’re welcome! Thank you for stopping by and taking time to read this post. Blessings on the rest of your week.
What a beautiful recap! It sounds like your dad is headed in the right direction! It’s amazing what a little encouragement can do. Is that a wind chime? I think I might be a little bit “jealy.” But more than that, I rejoice with you as the Lord showed you joy.
My dad has definitely turned a corner and it is such a blessing. Thank you for rejoicing with me over the unexpected blessings that were sprinkled throughout my February.
The picture you are referring to is not a wind chime but actually beautiful glass balls hanging in a local coffee shop. You don’t need to be jealous! 🙂 Blessed as always that you stopped by, Dianne.
Love! So much THIS: ” The hands and feet of Jesus come in all sizes, shapes and ages, but they are never an afterthought!” So true.
God carefully plans every detail. By keeping our eyes fixed on Him we find the blessings right where He left them. The discovery turns the negative into positive. Glad you stopped by.
I always love reading people’s “What I learned”. This is really beautiful.
I love your letter to February! I’m so glad that God showed up in a big way for you, my friend. May he continue to ‘march’ through life with you.
I love that you found hope and support during February. I hope your Dad continues to be well. I loved February this year. We have had rain, cold, and now an early Spring day with our leap day. Thanks for sharing your heart.
Your words washed over me so sweetly today, Mary. I am blessed by your kindness. I love that God showed me the redeeming parts of February which started off so bleakly. He is faithful and giving. Thank you for blessing me by stopping by.
Love how you took something that was so hard and made it good. God is our good, good Father. We walk through hard times, but the blessings are so much more beautiful. Love the flowers with your Rook Wood pieces of pottery.
I am so touched you dropped in and left such kind words. God is a good, good Father and with His gentle leading He shows us where to find that silver lining that seems so hard to find. I am blessed that we are walking through this time together. Thank you for blessing my day.
Beautiful!
Thank you Shelby! I really appreciated your comment on Facebook. Let’s look for the positive in our days together.
Wow, Mary. What a letter. I’m praying for you right now as you walk with your Dad through this difficult season. I know how difficult and draining it can be … I do.
I promise you that being there for him and attentive to his needs … and acknowledging your own in response … will leave you at great peace knowing that you left no stone unturned to see that his care was the best.
And that you tended to your own heart, as well.
A no-regrets season.
Hugs, friend.
I know that you understand and your words mean a lot because of this understanding. I am blessed to have this time with my dad even though somedays it feels overwhelming. But I am learning that there are so many hidden treasures of blessings just waiting to be discovered every time I am with my dad. Changing my mindset has helped in changing my attitude toward the emotional roller coaster that comes with caregiving. I let myself see what God had waiting for me all along-unexpected blessings in the most ordinary moments. Thank you for caring so deeply and sending a hug through your kind words.
How beautiful! You saw God’s redeeming hand in your dad’s life this February. Thank you for sharing your story. It gives hope to me that God is really working for us, and the power of prayer.
Prayer is powerful and our direct line to God’s heart. God is a redeeming God and would love nothing more than to take our mess and turn it into His glory. God is showing me firsthand what this can look like in my own life. I am glad the words blessed you too. So nice to have you visit here today, Lynn.
Unexpected blessings are the best. I love how you document them here. I’m glad I linked up near you at Emily’s place!
I agree! Unexpected blessings are gifts from God made specifically for us. It sure was a treat seeing you here today, Kristin. Blessings!