Blessed by Misfortune?
Posted by Andrea
Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you. (I Peter 5:7)
A few weeks ago, I listened to John McCain’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. Toward the end of his speech, McCain noted how he had been “blessed by misfortune”. He described parts of his terrible ordeal as a prisoner of war in Hanoi and how he was blessed with greater love and appreciation for the United States because of the hardships he had endured.
For the longest time, being “blessed by misfortune” was a foreign concept to me, a strange paradox. Then on September 19, 2000, my father’s life ended suddenly and some of my life’s most amazing lessons began immediately.
The years following my father’s passing were the most difficult years of my life. My father wasn’t there to tell me how proud he was when I was named Teacher of the Year. My father wasn’t there to walk me down the aisle and offer me to my groom on my wedding day. And when each of my girls was born, part of my heart ached because my father wasn’t there to hold them.
But God often shows up during the saddest, lowest moments of our lives and offers us blessings during our misfortunes. In fact, God used the months and years following my father’s death to strengthen me. As I moved through the grieving process, God drew me closer to Him and I began to embrace the peace and comfort He was offering. Later, He even enabled me to offer support and encouragement to relatives and friends who subsequently dealt with the loss of their fathers.
Being “blessed by misfortune” doesn’t mean that you forget. Every single day, I think of my father. On days like this, when I have cried, missed him more than words can say, and yearned for one more conversation, seeing the blessings is a bit more challenging, but I know they are still there. Having God so near is a tremendous blessing. He understands my grief; He knows now difficult this day has been; He alone has comforted m;e and He continues to encourage me. I thank God for each and every one of those hard earned blessings.
This is a heartfelt tribute to your father. Grieving the loss of loved ones is such a challenge, but it seems the Lord is much more present at those times than others. :~D
You were named Teacher of the Year? Congratulations!
BTW, I’ll be giving you a blogging award some time soon. Stop by when you have a minute (probably on Sunday!)
e-Mom, you are such a TREMENDOUS blessing to me! Thank you, thank you, thank you for the constant words of encouragement and Christian support! I’m so glad the Lord allowed our paths to cross here in cyberspace! You are a true gem!
The awards are up. When you have a minute come and get it!
I’m thrilled our paths have crossed too… :~D