The Look of My Blessing

I have found it doesn’t matter what we have or don’t have, there are two sides to every coin. Or more accurately, two views to every Skinny Pig mirror.

Three different memories from three different seasons in life recently came to mind. As each one drifted forward, they each contributed an interesting perspective and a great object lesson for this post.

The key to the look of my blessing? It’s all relative.

The Grass is Greener and There’s More of It, Too

The first memory was of a time when my husband and I were making a housing transition. Lots of memories were being left behind in the old location, with fresh ones waiting to be made in the new. The Skinny Pig issue in this instance was the haste with which the new folks were moving in to our old place. We were not even out yet and they were loading their things in through the back door. You could just about hear the silent Mine!! accompanied by a maniacal laugh since the actions were speaking louder than words anyway. Internally I wanted to shout, “Wait just a doggone minute! I’m not through saying goodbye, let alone vacuuming!”

The move of belongings and household goods completed, it took just a day of hard work and boxes to flip around the Skinny Pig mirror. Viewing our blessing from the other side caused a welling up of gratitude. The new place provided much more comfortably what we needed for our growing family. It was time to become adapted to what was now in my hand. The Skinny Pig had fattened up a bit and we were trusted with more. Including more grass to mow and more carpet to vacuum. The former house faded to grey.

The interesting caveat in this recollection is that what we had before – that was now remembered, fondly, as too small – was the new inhabitants’ step up. They wanted what we had. And we moved on.

Platforms and Power Tools

A second memory that floated back was a compilation of experiences with the work of the ministry. We all have an opinion to which we are entitled. Sometimes we’re entitled with others’, too.

While tending (planting, weeding, fertilizing, watering, growing, etc.) our ‘field’ God has entrusted to us, we’ve known what it is to have both a Skinny Pig at times and a little more meat on the bones at others. We rely on our Father. But, we’ve also heard a lot of other ‘takes’ on what we have or don’t have:

“God told me to pay you a dollar an hour for your counseling services.” The Lord told us to pay our bills.

“I want to build my platform; I need more.” That’s ok. We’re building His here at His pace.

“I don’t want a three-muffin tin ministry. I want the power tools.” Don’t despise small beginnings. And you might want to make sure you know how to handle power tools. People, including you, can get hurt.

As I recalled those instances and a few others, it was apparent that the Skinny Pig was alive and well. Sometimes on the part of others and sometimes on our own view of the situation and what was in our hand.

What fits in our hand may not fit well in the grip of others. Likewise, their view may have another face to it that our view does not provide but someone else’s does.

The key again is, it’s all relative. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, especially when building a business or a ministry of service to others. Trusting Him to care for and feed His Skinny Pigs is important.

Timing is Everything

It sure is. The final illustration is from yet another season. During a conversation, the person with whom I was visiting began to share some instances of nigh on miracle provision from God. Many moons ago I would have been consumed with envy and “How come…?” leaping off my lips. Instead, great joy welled up in me over His provision for them. He had really shown off Who He is and it was exciting to hear how He smudged up this person’s life with His personal fingerprints all over it.

Later (the time when these three memories came floating forward one by one), I did ask “How come?” There seemed to be a thread running through this trio of recollections and I really wanted to know. I could appreciate and receive the answer the Lord impressed upon me. So simple yet so profound…

“Your blessing looks different from theirs because your need is different.”

In a flash of insight, it all made sense.

To move on, one must let go of Skinny Pig thinking. Gratitude is waiting around the corner with a new look to one’s blessing.
Since we cannot be all things to all people, the key is surrendering all things into God’s hands. He’s the only One who can fill the ‘all things to all people’ shoes and keep us in shoe business.
He knows every need, every season. When it is time, the look of my blessing will fit my need.

It’s not uncommon to struggle with letting go, moving on, trying to cover too many bases, pleasing too many people, or wondering if you were hiding behind the door when the blessings were passed out.

A key for not remaining stuck in those Skinny Pig struggles is taking some time to figure out:

“What’s in my hand?”

If this is where you find yourself these days, would you like to start a conversation? You can reach me here.