Little Blessings
I have been blessed in sweet little ways so many times. Too many, actually to list here. But I’ll share a few.
One day at church, I found a $100 in my Bible that I later found out a good friend had snuck in there during worship. They knew we were having tight times and wanted to secretly bless us.
When I was younger, my Aunt Nancy heard about a bedding set I really loved. I’m not sure how she heard about it, but she did. One day, a big box arrived from UPS and it was addressed to me! I was so excited to find the bedding I’d been dreaming about inside. It had green and white leaves with pink flowers on one side and pink and white stripes on the other. To this day, I still get excited when UPS drives by.
Another day, I was sitting home and the doorbell rang. When I went to answer it, an envelope was taped to the door. Inside were a $100 and a note to buy my husband a birthday gift. I had shared that week at Bible study that his birthday was coming up and I was getting ideas for something to make him because we had no money. I have to admit, after this I stopped sharing when we were low on funds because I didn’t want people thinking I was asking for a gift! But the gesture was so incredibly kind I still cry to think of it.
More times than I can count, my mom has stopped by with bags of groceries for us. She comes by it naturally. When I was about five, my grandparents were babysitting us. My mom was a newly single working mom and they brought bags and bags of groceries and filled her cupboards and fridge when she was gone. I can still remember peeking in those brown paper bags and being so excited to pull out boxes of cereal. Man… that gets me every time.
A friend of mine who had the same surgery I had came by the day before my surgery and gave me a little pillow to put over my incision and some awesomely warm socks. I still use the pillow in the car for the seatbelt to go over and every time I look at it, I am reminded of her thoughtfulness.
Once, my stepmom bought me a big old pack of undies and the story is too embarrassing to share, but it was so simple and so sweet.
I always aspired to be the type of person who could do things like this, but after I stopped working, it seemed like we could no longer afford it.
Little Ideas
Yes, there are so many free ways to bless someone and brighten their day, and money really has nothing to do with it at all. Sometimes, though, you really just want to get something you see that reminds you of someone and you know will make them smile and feel special.
Sometimes I have too many sweet ideas and my husband has to bring me back down to earth and our one-income situation down here.
So, I’ve found a simple, husband-approved way to afford little blessings like this without busting my budget and doing every little thing that pops into my head.
The (little) Big Idea
An envelope!
It says “Blessings” on the top right corner and I put a few dollars in it each time we get paid. Nothing major, but a little here and a little there adds up. That envelope does a couple things:
It gives me permission to act on some of my spontaneous ideas.
It keeps me grounded. When it is empty, if I want to bless someone I find a nice, free way to do it.
It reminds me. Sometimes, even I with the too-may-ideas syndrome, forget. I’ll get so busy with our schedule, our issues, our wants and needs, that I am blind to little things around us. Seeing the envelope in my wallet will remind me to look beyond ourselves.
Do you have a plan for little blessings?
Rhonda says
LOVE this post Angela.
Just the other day I saw a book I knew God wanted me to purchase for someone and I have yet to order it. I think I’m going to head to Amazon.com right now.
.-= Rhonda´s last blog ..New Friends =-.
Mamala says
Taking notice of the efforts of others is part of the gift.
I love your capacity for strengthening your need to give, whilst all the while holding to a budget.
You have untethered our excuses.
I do so love you.
Brandi says
Wow! I just love your stories! This one especially touched me because it’s the “little things” that really count! I feel like God has blessed me with your friendship and I more appreciative everyday that you are a part of mine and the girls lives! Thanks for your friendship!
Audrey says
Love this post!! So true, the little gestures are the biggest blessings!
.-= Audrey´s last blog ..Settling in and Talking Preschool =-.
Infarrantly Creative says
I am a pastor’s wife and I would love a box of chocolates! Congrats on the purchase of a new home. And thanks for stopping by my site. I hope you stick around and let me know if you need advice as you take on teh task of decorating. I love that stuff.
Annie @ Beauty In The Surrender says
What a precious post. I too love to bless others.
.-= Annie @ Beauty In The Surrender´s last blog ..White Chocolate Pretzels =-.
AxLady says
I can’t begin to describe how much I enjoyed this post. The easiest “free” way for me to give a little blessing is to make someone something. Usually it’s food related, since I love to bake, but I also knit, cross stitch, crochet, etc…so many times it’s something of that nature. I’ve been blessed so many times I can’t even count them all.
Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers says
I absolutely love this post and these ideas…especially the envelope idea for accomplishing the financial aspect of blessing others, which is usually the biggest hurdle to things I’d like to do. Thanks for a great post! (And thanks to Angie at Many Little Blessing for pointing me to it.)
Kelly says
Such a lovely post. It’s always so great to hear about people giving to others. I started a project of giving the last few months (and entered the world of bloggers), and I can’t even explain how great it has been. I love your idea about a blessings envelope. I’ll have to give that one a try. Thanks for caring and sharing. 🙂 Kelly @thegiveway.com
Rachel R. says
Thank you! You’re right – I often feel as though I can’t afford that “big” thing, but I can set aside a dollar or two at a time.
megan @ whatmegansmaking says
This is an awesome post – so inspiring. Loved reading your blessings stories, and your ideas too. Great idea with the envelope!
Ellen says
This is a wonderful idea. You must be one of those people that I envy that just seems to notice so easily when others are in need. I aspire to this… it’s tough for me. Maybe your idea will help me…. Thanks!
Becky Perry says
I love this idea. Thanks for the encouragement.
Becky Perry says
PS – that is a great picture of your grandparents!!
demetria says
I WOLUD REALLY LIKE TO BELEIVE THE STORY THAT PEOPLE TELL ABOUT BLESSING I AM 45 YEARS OLD AND I CAN ONLY REMBER 2 TIMES THAT SOMEBODY EVER GAVE ME SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE SOMEBODY THAT GOD WOULD PUT ON THERE HEART TO BLESS ME WITH THE MONEY OR JUST PAY FOR MY CAR TO GET OUT OF THE SHOP MY CAR IS 1,659.00 I NEVER SEEN A MIRACLE THAT GOD SAYS IN HIS WORD THAT PEOLPE COULD REALLY BLESS YOU . I HAVE ASK GOD I HAVE PAY MY TITHES GAVE OUT MANY OF BLESSING NOW I AM IN NEED OF A BLESSING GOD WOULD YOU HAVE SOME TO BLESS ME MY CAR IS PAASSPORT COLLISION CENTER IN MARLO HEIGHT S TEMPLE HILLS MD 20748 THE NUMBER IS 301432-0200 WISHING GOD THAT SOMEBODY BLESS ME THANK YOU IN JESUS NAME AMEN