Cloud or sunshine?

July 24, 2014 · 0 Comments

A recent post on Facebook read, “Success is measured by how many people you have blessed” as penned by author Sue Fitzmaurice.

My friend who posted the statement was clearly impressed by it, as was Nora who responded by expressing a blessing to each of her Facebook friends, believing a blessing given from the heart to be miraculous. Meanwhile, some fellow shot back with, “If this were true, most would never actually be able to measure success.” In response to Nora he wrote, “Oh yeah!!! Blessed by Nora! WHOOHOO!!!!!” Such a pity if it was said from a cynical mind set as he too could be counted among those “most” who would never actually be able to measure success.

The dictionary says to bless means to treat favourably. Matthew 7:12 says it this way: “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” I am pleased to say I am surrounded by people who make it a point to bless those around them in many different ways. When one blesses, one is in turn blessed and is a ray of sunshine to others. It is important to keep blessing and shining, even in the not-so-sun-shiny days of life.

Here in Shelburne we have seen lots of rain and cool temperatures since the middle of June. My family and I moved recently in the midst of an all out deluge of rain. Our moving activities were held up considerably as the movers frequently waited until, it seemed, swimming pool containers of water stopped being dumped from the skies. Roofers have been plying their trade this past week between cloud bursts and under threatening skies in their efforts to protect the inside of the house by stopping the rain coming in. We have been soliciting estimates and services from plumbers, window installers, foundation experts, fix-it people, chimney experts and other trades. To be honest, it has been challenging to field the comments from nay sayers wondering why in the world we chose to purchase this place. To sum everything up in a word – potential.

You see, everything we do is based on a choice. How we look at life, at challenges, at seeming obstacles will determine what we get out of anything. You get or become what you think about most of the time. At this location we have so much potential to be a blessing to so many people. Yes, the challenges are there.

Yes, there are costs to be paid. Yes, there is much work to be done and many contractors for us to treat favourably. Yes, when all is said and done, it is clear to see there is much potential here for success and ministry in the present and the future. Success is the coming about of a planned and hoped for outcome.

Do you see problems and obstacles through lenses of pessimism and cynicism as did the fellow responding to the post about blessing? Or, do you see challenges as opportunities and stepping stones for growth, for bringing about ultimate success, for being blessed, and for blessing others, even where it all seems impossible? You can be the heavy cloud cover, or you can be the sunshine peaking through someone else’s cloud, bringing them blessing and hope for their future. The choice is yours.

Maxine McLellan

Co-Pastor at Grace Church of the Nazarene,

Shelburne