23 Days to Christmas. Wednesday, Dec 2, 2020.

“Not-Knowing the Blessing”

What? What’s that sound? Did you hear it? Oh, nevermind. It’s just Wednesday. It used to mean something. Now, the middle of the week is like every other day. One day melts into another, pushing us along like the waves upon the sea. We’ve already drifted through Thanksgiving and now we’re headed towards Christmas Island, with little hope of reuniting with loved ones anytime soon.

One of the most difficult realities of our current social situation is that we don’t know when all this stuff will finally be finished. Kinda’ makes sense, doesn’t it? It’s often the “Not-Knowing” that causes much of our suffering. We are accustomed to receiving answers quickly, if not immediately, by simply typing the question in our phones or asking our special friends, Siri and Alexa. But they are no help in this pandemic.

One of the bizarre realities this Holiday Season is that all of us are facing the same pandemic-related challenges. The “Not-Knowing” is impacting our friends, family, neighbors, and everyone else just as much as it impacts us. But here’s at least one difference: We are all handling this in our own, unique ways. All of us are struggling but some of us are truly suffering. Is that you? Or, Is that me?

This Holiday Season, we will encounter someone who is really struggling. Even for those of us who are already suffering, when we help a friend or neighbor with a quick check-in, letter in the mail, or a few kind words across the hedges, we provide a blessing for both of us. Don’t believe it? Try it... then be a little patient.

Not only will you be surprised, but you will also be very pleased with God’s work in you. Yes, the “Not-Knowing” is often painful, but we can turn it around this Holiday Season by allowing someone else to receive a surprise “Not-Known” blessing. In providing for others, God always seems to bless us in return. Still not sure? Try it and see for yourself.

“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good in order to build them up.” (Romans 15:2, CEB).