Blessings

So much of our Christian walk has to do with “…knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us,” Romans 5:3-5. But how can all the hard things of life be counted as blessings?

Laura Story’s husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor shortly after they were married. After surgeries, vision loss, and memory loss, their lives have changed dramatically—and he still isn’t completely healed. But Laura has redefined what “blessings” really are, and she continues to trust and worship God through it all.

So should we. As believers and as writers, “God loves us way too much to give us lesser things,” and sometimes our prayers for success or a contract or a muse or a bestseller simply aren’t answered in the way we want them to. Sometimes “blessings come through raindrops” or failures or tears. And sometimes “the trials of this life are His mercies in disguise.”

So for all of you who are frustrated or discouraged or lonely or weary, hear the words of this song and know that He hears your prayers and He loves you way too much to give us lesser things. Thanks, Laura, for this important reminder.

“Blessings” by Laura Story

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while You hear each spoken need

Yet He loves us way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if trials of this life

Are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear

We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while You hear each desperate plea

And long that we’d have faith to believe

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears?

And what if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near?

And what if trials of this life

Are Your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win

We know that pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home

It’s not our home

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears?

And what if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst

This world can’t satisfy?

And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are Your mercies in disguise?

What kinds of trials have you endured that you’ve found to be His mercies in disguise? I’d love to know!