Understanding My Blessings

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, Ephesians 1:3

The Holy Spirit began to speak to me. First, I heard that word most precious to my heart, “Father!” My blessed, Holy, loving, affectionate, adoring, most honorable, Father!!  My Heavenly Father had blessed me with every spiritual blessing. How often, since early childhood, have I been taught that God would bless me physically, with good friends, food, housing, all kinds of worldly provision, but not once was it emphasized that my blessings would be internal, spiritual, heavenly blessings. The great relief I felt when I gave my heart to Jesus at age seven was that I would not suffer the horrible pain and punishment of everlasting Hell. Growing up I walked in fear of displeasing God, the Father, and I spent most of my youth riding the altar rails making sure all my wrongs were forgiven. In college I began to feel and see His love was greater than His wrath, but it was hard to accept “unconditional love” from one called “Father.”  My earthly father’s love seemed based on being a good girl and pleasing him. I remember more frowns than smiles, little or no attention at all.

Then I read that I was blessed with every spiritual blessing from my Heavenly Father, the blessings that really mattered in life. These were the blessings of a clean conscience, right thinking, inner strength and motivations that stemmed from loving and being loved. These were the blessings that allowed me to be holy and blameless before Him as I reflected the life of Christ, my brother and model of my Father’s love.  I began to understand the changes in attitude, the stirring of my thoughts, the desires of my heart, my growth in righteousness, and daily moments with my Father. I was being blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. I was being loved in a most tangible way. I had complete access to the Father through Christ. What an exciting realization of truth!! Oh, Father! This is such an exciting reality to discover in a way never seen before. Not that I have not read it dozens of times, not that I haven’t heard it preached or taught, but that it has never connected to my heart like it has today! Help me to see those spiritual blessings like never before and please continue to reveal your unconditional love in new ways to my heart.  This is so much fun. I love You, Father!!