Today I am at my home and it is quiet and peaceful and I’m feeling blessed to be here. The kids are sleeping soundly (and late—woohoo!) I debated if I should enjoy this blissful quiet asleep or awake. I opted for awake. So rarely do I get a moment of solitude and quiet. I’m so thankful!
For the past 4 months we have been staying with family and I cannot say how thankful I am for it. But it would be a lie to say it hasn’t been difficult, stressful and exhausting on many levels. And it would definitely be a contradiction of all that I’ve been sharing for the past few months in my blog. Sometimes blessings can be difficult. The blessing of a place to stay during our transition is huge, the stress of that blessing is also huge.
Sometimes I wonder if a blessing can’t also be a burden. I’m sure there are many that will disagree with me because it sounds wrong to say a blessing can be a burden, but I believe it’s true.
“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:16-18).
I think I’ve known for a long time that I can find a blessing even in my burdens, but I haven’t flipped it around before. I haven’t realized that my blessings can sometimes be burdens as well.
But the more I’ve pondered, the more I’m thinking this is true.
Parenting is absolutely a blessing, but I cannot deny it is a burden to be sure. Dealing with my children and the responsibility of raising them well can most definitely be a burden. A welcome burden, but a burden nonetheless.
As a parent, I burden my children with chores to give them the blessing of understanding the value of work done well, of responsibility and of being part of a family. I’m fairly certain that none of them would refer to those things as blessings … well, at least most of the time.
A home is a blessing, but when there are issues, it can most definitely be a burden. Broken things, dripping things, creaky things, wobbly things … just lots of things that aren’t fun, but I’m sure thankful for the shelter.
Work is a blessing, but it seriously can be a burden.
It’s a bit embarrassing to think that at the moment I’m having to remind myself to be thankful for my blessings.
Shouldn’t that be a given? Unfortunately, I think it has been easier for me to focus on the burden aspect of the blessing than the blessing part of the blessing.
Maybe I’m throwing that blessing word around too much … but I can’t think of a good synonym for blessing. Benediction doesn’t really work. Approval and encouragement don’t really apply either. Merriam-Webster defines blessing as “something that helps you or brings happiness.” I suppose saying that something that brings me help or happiness is a burden is a bit odd.
But in God’s economy, maybe not.
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett