Odd Blessings
This post was originally published on Feburary 28, 2006.
Each night at bedtime, before we say prayers with our kids, we sing the Doxology together. If you aren't familiar with it, the words begin, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..." But last night, I listened to my children sing it and realized that all this time my seven-year-old son has been singing it, "Praise God from whom ODD blessings flow..."
I suppressed a giggle and came downstairs to tell Hubs about it. Though the more I thought about it, the more I realized there's some good theology in his little slip-up. Praise God for the odd blessings--the ones that sneak up on us, the ones that don't even look like blessings until they're long past us. Praise Him for the mixed bag, the curvy road, the speed bumps of life. Sometimes the odd blessings are the best ones.
We've had a lot of odd blessings in just the past week! And you're right- they sneak up on you and *are* the best because they are *His* plan and not ours.
Steph
Posted by: Adventures In Babywearing | Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 01:46 PM
Odd blessings - I like it. I think they ARE the best!
Posted by: Rachel | Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 01:55 PM
Oh - I love it. Sometimes we have the greatest AH HA moments when we least expect it.
Hope you're having a great get away!
Posted by: Cheri | Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 02:12 PM
Oh, too funny.
But the more I think about it, the more I think you have a budding theologian on your hands.
The odd blessings are the ones that make us stronger, help us understand the Lord better, and ultimately move us along in our spiritual growth and maturity.
I look forward to seeing the Dryer book of theology in about 25 years (plenty of time to get it all straight and finish seminary.....)
The other thought was - oh, those are the moments God gives us to make us laugh, to teach us, and to show us that our kids are getting it! So what if it was a simple misunderstood word, he still gets it!
Posted by: Mrs. Pear | Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 03:14 PM
Just the kind of thing I was thinking of when I posted last night about my SHOWERS of blessing. Unexpected joys :-)
Posted by: Granny | Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 03:20 PM
I'm so glad you're 're-playing' these old posts while you're away. This was a good one!
Posted by: Girl Gone Wild | Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 03:56 PM
How cute! And true!
Posted by: Amberly | Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 05:26 PM
It was Art Linkletter who said, "Kids say the darndest things". I think they also say the best things, if we were to listen closely.
Posted by: Kacey | Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 06:28 PM
When my now 9 year old daughter was little, she called the Doxology, "Roly Poly Ghost". She watched Rolie Polie Olie and got the titles confused. Really cute.
Posted by: Kristi | Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 06:46 PM
That's cute! I love it.
Posted by: Jenny D | Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 07:55 PM
Odd blessings! I like it. I think I will try and remember that in these tough days ahead.
Posted by: Midsummer Night | Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 08:26 PM
Amen, sister! Our kids say the funniest things. And I just know God has the biggest sense of humor!
Thanks for sharing!
Come on over and see what you can win :)
Posted by: Sandy | Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 12:34 AM
A fine post, thanks for giving it another run.
It fits well with many ideas I've been thinking about...how do we support our children and ourselves to realise that life isn't perfect - but that the imperfection deserves celebration..."odd blessings" seem to be a good answer.
Posted by: Daniel Donahoo | Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 09:33 PM
I think it was Flannery O'Connor who once played around with a famous verse from the book of John to say, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you odd."
But I like your application better--that events in our life that may seem odd may indeed be the very things that ultimately bless us.
And a little child shall lead them....
Posted by: Ann Kroeker | Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 10:04 PM
Hmm...I remember Abel reciting his memory verse...you know the one about how God so loved the world he gave his only forgotten son?
Kids are so fun.
Posted by: edj | Monday, March 26, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Oh, I just LOVE that...sometimes the misspeaks are the most truthful, aren't they??
Posted by: Deena | Monday, March 26, 2007 at 12:37 PM
I like that! Apparently when my dad was a child and he sang The Lord's Prayer, he would sing, "and deliver us from eagles." It made sense to him because he had heard that an eagle could swoop down and carry away a child!
Posted by: Mommy Dearest | Monday, March 26, 2007 at 05:03 PM
I love this!
Our seven year old has taken to reciting our dinner prayer for us (for the past year or two, actually). Anyway -- one line is,
"That to us, our food be blessed" and he says, "That to us, awfully blessed." I think we tried to correct him the first few times, but then I realized -- it made me smile every single time he said it. It's true, we ARE awfully blessed.
Aren't kids the best?
Posted by: Angie | Friday, March 30, 2007 at 08:42 AM