“Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.” – Native American Proverb
Earlier today, I drove from my home to St. Gabriel the Archangel (St. Gabe’s) parish in South St. Louis to take part in a Cancer Resource Fair, talking with people about my workshops and retreats and selling my book, Embraced by God: Facing Chemotherapy with Faith. So I got to hang out for a few hours with good people who are fighting (or have already fought) a battle with cancer, as well as caregivers, organizers, family members and others who serve this community.
I had no idea what it was going to be like. Before I left, part of me thought: “Why did I sign up for this? It’ll probably be a waste of time. Ten people will show up. I should stay home and write or go for a walk on this crisp April day.”
But, of course, I didn’t really believe that and didn’t listen to that voice. Like always, I knew there was a reason for me to show up. It wasn’t to sell a bunch of books or network in the cancer community, but I did some of each of those things. What I know about events like these is that there are always other and much more important reasons to be there than the obvious ones — like meeting just one person who needs someone to talk to for a few minutes, someone who needs to hear that they are not alone on this journey. Choosing to show up is about being a bit of a blessing in someone else’s life (however briefly) or allowing them to be that for me. I experienced both of those things today, I think.
There’s always an “unknown blessing” on its way. Today’s began its journey when I said yes to this event months ago. No, that’s not quite right. It began when the organizers had the idea for this event and my name somehow surfaced. Or perhaps it began when I was first diagnosed with my disease or…you get the point. We’re all walking headlong into a blessing every day that we can’t see coming, and it might have taken a long and winding road to get to us. We just need to live with our eyes wide open and watch for it. We need to show up and do stuff. We need to take chances. We need to not miss the blessing when it appears, disguised as a child in need of a Tootsie Pop, a cancer survivor wanting to tell me her incredible story, or a confused, recently diagnosed cancer patient searching for something to get him through the day.
So much in life can be a blessing when we’re looking for it. And that’s a pretty good way to wake up each day — eyes and heart open for who knows what. Grateful for the chance and the journey.
10 comments On Unknown Blessings
Your post was the blessing I walked headlong into today. Dealing with powerful waves of grief and despair the past couple of days and trying to submerge myself into God’s depths to cope, I realized with your post I need to open my eyes to something other than what’s in my mind. Thank you!
Thank you for choosing to share with us. I know the situation as our priest chooses to share with us at our prayer meetings. He wouldn’t have to be there but he chooses to help other people who are coping with something in life and many times the burdens are huge. People leave there feeling much better. Thanks to you for making it a better world by helping other people. God bless.
Beautiful thoughts.
Thank you Steve. What a beautiful reflection! It touched me in two regards. I recently gave a brief talk to our parish women’s group on Mary, the wife of Clopus. The focus was on her presence to our Lord and our Blessed Mother. She “showed up” as we are to show up for others. We can’t wait to have the time carved out perfectly or the exact words to say or meal to provide. Our presence is our gift to others and to our Lord. Secondly, I am an oncology nurse. Oncology patients are special people. Each one of them walk a unique path and can often be only understood by another person on a similar path. So, thank you for the gift of your time to these beautiful people and for “showing up”!
Thanks Steve. And in a strange way your illness led me closer to God . He does move in mysterious ways! However Thanks be to God!
Thank you, Peter. I love it when God works like that. So glad to have become your friend-across-the-pond.
Thanks, Bridget. See you soon!
Thank YOU, Mary, for showing up everyday for us. Oncology nurses are gifts straight from God!
Thank you, Mary, for writing and for your kind words. No doubt you “show up” for the people in your life, too…
Thank you, Jan. I hope you walk right into a blessing today that was made somewhere distant just for you…