Blessings

I knelt to pray when day was done
And prayed, "O Lord, bless everyone,
Lift from each saddened heart the pain
And let the sick be well again."

And then I woke another day
And carelessly went on my way,
The whole day long I did not try
To wipe a tear from any eye.
I did not try to share the load
Of any brother on the road.

I did not even go to see
The sick man next door to me.
Yet once again when day was done
I prayed, "O Lord, bless everyone."

But as I prayed, into my ear
There came a voice that whispered clear,
"Pause now, my son, before you pray.
Whom have you tried to bless today?

God's sweetest blessings always go
By hands that serve him here below."
And then I hid my face and cried,
"Forgive me, God, I have not tried,
But let me live another day
And I will live the way I pray."

Author Unknown

I was really encouraged when I read this poem. I have often found myself doing the same thing, asking God's blessing before I start each day. And yet, I fail to often try to be a blessing to those that so need it the most. I hope this encourages everyone that reads this to live out their prayers, to live for others, to "practice what you preach," to look for opportunities to bless and make a difference in the lives of others, and in this way be a simple yet powerful witness for Jesus Christ.