We Pray for Blessings
Posted on Sep 14, 2022 by Heather Lewis
There’s a song we’ve sung over the years at Salem titled “Blessings” that says, “What if Your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? What if 1,000 sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?”
It was written by Laura Story after her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor and their prayers for healing were not being answered. Her husband survived, but after several years of some of his disabilities not improving, they had to come to terms with the reality that their challenges weren’t a detour but the road itself. When she talks about the song, she says she had to redefine what the word “blessing” meant; instead of defining a blessing as health or prosperity, she says walking through that valley and fully relying on God is what truly made her feel blessed.
Wow. Even with my rose-colored glasses look on life, I’m not sure I could come to that same conclusion, could you? And yet, there are so many stories of people overcoming tough circumstances and being able to continue blessing others. I always tell my piano students, especially when they see a picture of Ludwig van Beethoven looking pensive or downright angry (which is almost always how he is portrayed), that he composed some of his greatest works after he began losing his hearing, including Moonlight Sonata and Für Elise. His last symphony, written after he had been completely deaf for 5 years, includes a chorus singing “Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of Love!” That sounds to me like someone who has overcome his obstacles, or perhaps even used them to continue to inspire.
I do not believe that God causes traumatic things in our lives to teach us to rely on Him. But I hope that when things happen that are not a part of our plans, hopes, or dreams, that we can continue to trust that He will walk with us. I do believe that the care and comfort we give each other allows God to work healing through us, even if it isn’t exactly what we pray for. With that in mind, may we always be blessed to be a blessing to others.
Heather Lewis
Director of Worship and Music