Jimbo's Jots

This has been an interesting week at the old church homestead. On Monday, after a night of counseling and leaving the building after dark, I was awakened by a phone call from the local police stating someone had thrown a rock at one of the church windows. So, I met them at the building and filed the report and began, along with others, to get the window replaced. Then, on Thursday, I was contacted by one of the groups that uses our building monthly saying the fire alarm was going off. Nothing from the fire department, so off again to the building I went. Made some calls, including the fire department, seeking assistance for stopping the alarm sound. Left somewhat frustrated because the noisy alarm was still sounding and I couldn’t really do anything.

Life has a curious way of wrapping our greatest blessings in the most inconvenient packaging. The things we often see as setbacks, disruptions, or detours sometimes carry the very lessons, growth, or opportunities we desperately need. But recognizing these “inconvenient blessings” is rarely easy.

Consider the unexpected job loss that forced you to reconsider your career path, eventually leading you to a more fulfilling role. Or the strained friendship that made you value authenticity, transforming the way you approach relationships. Or perhaps it’s the sleepless nights of parenthood, which not only test your patience but also shape your capacity for unconditional love.

A powerful biblical story captures this truth vividly. As Jesus walked through a crowded street, a woman who had suffered from a bleeding condition for twelve years reached out and touched the hem of his robe. Her action was a desperate, inconvenient gesture – pressing through the crowd in her weakened state. Yet, in that moment of struggle, she found her blessing. Jesus recognized her faith and healed her instantly. What seemed like an interruption to others became her miracle.

Inconvenient blessings often arrive unannounced, masked as struggles or frustrations. They interrupt our plans, challenge our expectations, and stretch our comfort zones. We might grumble, resist, or even feel defeated. But beneath the chaos, there is often a gift waiting to be discovered.

So how do we recognize these blessings in disguise? It begins with perspective. When life’s challenges arise, instead of asking, “Why me?” try asking, “What is this teaching me?” or “How can I grow from this?” This shift doesn’t make the struggles vanish, but it opens your heart to the possibility that even discomfort can carry a hidden grace.

The next time life hands you an inconvenience, pause. Breathe. Look beyond the surface, and you might just find a blessing waiting in disguise.

Be blessed! Be a blessing!!