SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

for lots of years i have occasionally text this message to my children, mostly, but other friends & family too.  today i was inspired to create a graphic for it; and inspired to share in a little more detail   -the why's; my spiritual experience & interpretation..

bullet point version:  * you are only 'blessed' to be a blessing  * favor is unmerited; it is God shining his light on you; and/or something you are doing or someone you have prayed for  *anointed is the love; joy and effortless factor embedded in your God given gifts and talents which serves to glorify God's name.

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i believe  -the only- reason anyone is ever blessed, is so that they can be a blessing to others.

'blessed to be a blessing'    we include this in our daily prayers

i say verily blessed, because.. well,  just for fun with language; scripture based

when it comes to being 'favored'    -every Christian has unique-to-them experiences of receiving favor

   -unmerited favor-     and i personally believe, receiving/recognizing an experience of favor, is God's way of benevolently rewarding us for cultivating a relationship with Jesus; these experiences of favor are forms of spiritual communication/telepathy (spirit, heart and mind; not exclusively mind); they validate and reinforce our Christianity; our relationship with Jesus as our Lord & Savior; our walk in love. 

            and how often i return to 'not as the world gives do i give to you..'    -because 'the world's' culture doesnt offer much in the way of  'unmerited'  anything; favor, mercy, grace.. forgiveness, love, joy, peace..

mostly the world's culture is financially, materialistically, status based; what's in it for me based; win at all cost based; selfish; self-centered based; give to get something back based; ulterior motives based; short-sighted, ego-centric, superficial,       -when 'the world' favors you..  with fame & fortune, for a great example; your value as a human being is directly tied to the fame and/or fortune; once those go..   so does your value   'up when you're up..  non-existent when you're down (unless, there is some entertainment value/profit potential in sharing your ups and downs)

i could go on, but  -God's favor, unmerited favor..   is 100% genuine generosity; a loving gesture; not an 'only if..' or 'under these circumstances' kind of deal    -you cannot ask for; or earn God's favor..

you can only receive with gratitude; recognize and enjoy...         /imagine that!    same with God's love.  it is not something you ask for or earn;  -you receive.  God IS love

God's favor is unique to each individual; and can be something relatively small; like an unexpected/free VIP experience after you found out an event was sold out; to something larger, like an ultra special true vacation with family/friends where every single person has a genuinely and exclusively great time; only peace, compatibility, freedom, fun, joy..  beautiful days, amazing meals, exciting adventures, health, happiness, appreciation and solidly good visits; bonding and co-creating positive memories that last a life time.

and i like to always put 'highly' with 'favored'   -because, why not, -write.  why would anyone say, may you be a tiny bit favored along the way..   our God is a generous, loving God..  and being 'highly favored' is a very life affirming experience..  feeling special, when 'the world' ignores or overlooks you 

   it is intimate that way; God sees you; and let's you know it by shining his light on your life; for a specific circumstance; for the duration of a long process  

and 'awesomely!'  anointed:   -like you are only blessed to be a blessing; you are only anointed to glorify God's name.  that is what it means to me..    anointed..    reveals itself  -not just in a talent..

but a talent which has love, joy, energy, passion embedded in it..      and 'talent' is a huge variable..

when you share your gift/talent; recognize it is God given;  and you share with joy; love..   a pure heart

the very act of doing so glorifies God's name.   the very act of recognizing, developing and sharing your God given gifts & talents is a form of gratitude and prayer.

i could on here too:  there is being anointed; and recognizing someone's else's anointing

there are unanointed masters of skill sets..     discernment is required..   

i'll close here:  i love the word -awesome!-  and the alliteration;  awesomely anointed

so there you have it.   it is a message i will occasionally send to my now adult children, friends/family for the rest of my life i suppose..     thank you Jesus!  amen.