Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates

Give and you will receive. You will be given much. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you. - Luke 6:38

Movie character Forest Gump famously said “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” This is how I view blessings in life. There are many blessings; some you give, some you receive, and some that come when you least expect them!

Back in 2012, I worked as a truck unloader three times a week. It helped with providing groceries. I had to be at work by 4am so I would get up at 2:45 am for coffee and some reading to get my day started. Getting up early was easy for me, because I am a morning person. (What a blessing!) The other truck unloaders were mostly young guys, fresh out of high school, and they would show up barely awake having just rolled out of bed. Me, I was ready for the morning, usually ‘bouncing-off-the- walls’ happy to be there! One of my sleepy, and somewhat annoyed co-workers would ask me “What are you so happy about Sara?” With a smile I’d say “I am happy because I woke up today and I’m here; it’s a blessing to work!” Again, annoyed by my exuberance, he would reply “that’s so weird.” My young co-workers didn’t understand that I really see life as such a blessing.

Yeah, sure, the work was hard, but I also saw it as a workout opportunity. I didn’t have to go to gym! I was able to be off work and home before my husband had to start his work day, so we didn’t have to pay for daycare. And I was able to help provide for our family+ by using my paycheck for groceries. To me, these were blessings. I do not focus on life as being full of “what I have to-do’s,” but rather what I get to do!

Granite Creek was a big blessing when I had my third child, Anthony. Granite Creek has a Ministry, overlooked by Jennifer Maglio, called “Food Warriors”. No, it’s not getting together and having a food fight. It’s a ministry where people bless a family with a meal when you have a baby, or have to go through surgery, or something tragic. These amazing behind-the-scenes-servants will make or purchase and deliver you a meal so you can put your energy toward family, or healing. The Food Warriors came when I had major surgery back in 2016. It was such a blessing to have someone bring a meal for my family while I was recovering. That made me feel loved and cared for by our church family. So once I was recovered, I became a part of Food Warriors Ministry too. I soon discovered that as wonderful as it is to be blessed in this way, it was an especially wonderful feeling to bless another family!

The power of giving is such a blessing not only to others, it blesses our selves. On Saturday mornings I am privileged to volunteer at the KidCare Food Bank. I feel pure joy just being there! To help others is such a blessing. In just a couple of hours working together as a team, we set up EZ-ups, tables, crates and boxes in preparation for families in need. We stand in a circle praying over the food before it gets put into boxes. The KidCare Foodbank puts good, quality, fresh veggies, and beautiful fruit, baked goods, meats and snacks into each lovingly packed box. Silvia and Gary Sconyers, Directors of the food bank, have been blessing families in this way every Saturday for the past 20 years, rain or shine, freezing or scorching out.

What is really amazing is being able to bless others as a family. A couple of years ago, around Christmas time, a dear sweet friend of mine came to visit me. She was struggling a little bit at that time. We had just put up our Christmas tree the day before and the evergreen filled our living room. As we visited, I could see my friend calculating, and counting in her head. She was trying to figure a way she could afford a Christmas tree for her kids at their new place. The next day I asked my husband, Aaron, if we could afford make her family’s day. So we showed up at their new place with a tree. It was so beautiful to see the complete joy on their faces; tears of joy and happiness! It was our hope to help their family enjoy the Christmas season and make special memories together. And we were able to bless others when they didn’t expect it.

When you look at life with thankful eyes, you can see there are blessings everywhere. From the moment you wake up Blessing! To bringing or receiving a meal Blessing! Driving around in a car with gas in it Blessing! Going about your day and discovering what God has planned for us Blessing! I am ever thankful, Lord, for the life I live because every day I learn more about you. I am even thankful for the tough days because I know I’m growing more towards you, Lord. Blessings are everywhere just like God is. May I be a blessing to you, Lord!