I am a very blessed man. You don't have to convince me of that. I have been all of my life. But even I get caught off guard by the blessings that God sends my way. There are the very obvious ones like my children. Every single day (yes, even on the "grumpy daddy" ones) I am well aware of the "blessings" that roam the halls of my home. Their smiles brighten my day and their love lifts my spirits in the worst of situations. Then there are some of the less obvious ones--problems that make me stronger, temptations that strengthen my resolve, hurdles that prove what an amazing God we serve. I may not see them as I experience them but eventually they show themselves to be undeniable. There's a third group of blessings too--the infrequent ones, the ones that aren't there all the time but they bless me just the same.

Let me give you an example: old friends. I got a surprise phone call from an old friend this past week. Honestly, it was an old high school girlfriend. Her mom had run into my mom and they had shared stories which led her to pick up the phone and call me. (Thanks, S, it was great talking with you). In the midst of that conversation, the overwhelming thought of God's grace hit me. I needed that phone call on Monday. It was a normal, busy Monday. Not a bad day--just already headed in the direction of being a long one. I didn't recognize the number when it rang here in the office. I almost didn't answer since our ministry assistant wasn't here and I was in the middle of sermon preparation. I am very grateful that God led me to pick it up.

But I'm more grateful for friends like her--the ones that transcend the miles and the years to reach out. I don't know when I'll get to talk to her again. Hopefully it will be much sooner than the last time. I do know that she was a blessing to my life 22 years ago (yes, it was that long ago) and she blessed me again this week. Which got me to thinking...who do I need to call? Who is it that I need to bless that I haven't talked to in a very long time? Or even someone I spoke with last week who could use an additional touch before too much time passes? I picked up the phone and called my mom, for one. She needed to hear from her youngest. I called another friend and had lunch with yet another. Honestly, I spent the entire day thinking about the friends God has placed in my path over these 39 years. Each one is a blessing that has changed my journey and made it a little bit nicer in their own special way. Thank you, friends (the old and the new) for the blessings you give to me in your friendship. Hope your life has been as rich as mine because of our knowing each other.