Counting Our Blessings

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see,

and your ears, because they hear.” // Matthew 13:16

We shuffled into the pew as quietly as possible and sat near a friend. She is single, praying for a spouse, and hoping for children. My husband candidly passed our son over to her, and she happily took him in her arms as we all sat down to hear the First Reading. We have spoken so many times about her dreams and desires—which look very much like my current blessings— that my heart tuned in to hers. I felt empathy for her and wished so much that she could also be blessed in this way one day soon.

But I must also admit, I felt uncomfortable: my two great blessings beside me were highlighting what another woman longs for but does not yet possess. Why do I get to have these blessings? I understand the disciples questioning our Lord in today’s Gospel. Why are they spoken to plainly but the crowd only gets parables? 

His answer ends with a further affirmation of their blessedness: “But blessed are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear” (Matthew 13:16; emphasis added). They must have been humbled by that declaration of truth. Because truly, although it was perhaps uncomfortable for them to admit, they could not deny that they were blessed to see and hear what the prophets had longed for. 

Sister, would you take a moment now and focus on a blessing that the Lord has given to you? Whether it was a clear answer to a tough prayer, a difficult situation transformed into something joyful, or simply some flowers from a friend on a gloomy day, name a blessing. Own it; it is yours, given to you by your Heavenly Father who loves you. 

We cannot deny our blessings, even if they may make for awkward moments. When I accept my blessedness, I give testimony to the Lord’s faithfulness and mercy. Because I have also been that woman in the pew. I have sat with both the longing and the blessing. And in all seasons, He has been faithful and generous.