unexpected blessing

As I poured my second cup of coffee, I stepped in front of my kitchen window and noticed my full bird feeder.  We loaded up the feeder a couple of days ago, and I have yet see a bird there, I thought to myself.

At that very moment a bluejay flew into view.

A small gasp escaped my lips, followed by a smile and a prayer of thanks.  I thought of our dear friends, for whom a bluejay is a special symbol of God's love at the most difficult times.  I thought of how it's just like our loving Heavenly Father to send a reminder of His presence when I'm not even looking for it.

An unexpected blessing.

I remembered how many times I've received an unexpected blessing-from a friend, from a stranger.  I wondered how many times I've overlooked something that the Lord intended to bless me.

I must remember to keep my eyes open, I thought to myself.

And then another thought:

How 'bout delivering that unexpected blessing?

An email, a note delivered by snail-mail, a phone call, a kind word, a small gift, a hand on a shoulder.... what about keeping my eyes open for the ways I can give -be- an unexpected blessing to someone else -a friend or a stranger.

I must remember to keep my open, I thought again to myself.

¹⁰ Unfailing love and truth have met together. 

      Righteousness and peace have kissed!  

¹¹ Truth springs up from the earth,       

and righteousness smiles down from heaven.  

¹² Yes, the LORD pours down his blessings. 

PSALM 84

I WILL remember to keep my eyes open.