There is this picture frame at Hobby Lobby that has been haunting me. Several months ago, Annie and I were looking for a frame to display a picture of her and Katie when I saw it. It was a cute little frame for a 4x6 photo. Wooden with twine. Simple. With the word "blessed." I froze in the store when I saw it. Can I buy that frame? I thought. Can I buy that frame to hold a picture of my daughters? Can I look at Katie's face, wishing I could touch it, and say that I am blessed? Does a picture of my dead child indicate any kind of blessing in my life? What does it mean to be blessed anyhow? In the Bible, several different Hebrew and Greek words are translated into blessed. The idea of happiness and favor is present in the word blessed, as is that of a good word, respect, praise, and the act of giving a gift. When God created the world, he spoke a good word over it. He intended for all people to live in a world of blessing - happiness, peace, fulfillment. So when God speaks a word of blessing, in essence, he is saying, "My desire is for you to experience the fullness of what I originally intended, the extravagance of my favor." Because of the brokenness of this world, that blessing can only be truly known in light of eternity and through a new life in Christ. So on an everyday basis in a broken world, can we experience blessings? Sure. But they are temporary. And not the real thing. Think about the last time you said you were blessed. What were you referring to? As Westerners, somewhere along the way, we have adopted the mindset that blessings only come in the form of health, wealth, and prosperity. Blessings can refer to these things, but it can't only mean that, can it? What do we do with the words of Jesus in Matthew: Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . Blessed are those who mourn . . . Blessed are the meek . . . Blessed are those who are persecuted. What about believers who live in the slums of Haiti? Can they experience blessings just as much as you and me? God wants to define blessing in our lives around an eternal perspective. Spiritual blessings may be experienced in material means - or immaterial ones. In healing - or pain. In the brokenness of this world - or in the shalom of Heaven. When I offer a blessing to you, I am asking for God to favor you in a way that lasts for eternity. Perhaps that means restoring your health so your impact for his kingdom can continue for years to come. Perhaps that means giving you the promotion so you can encourage that one person who will come along next year who really needs to hear Jesus in the way you speak to him. Perhaps it means building perseverance in you; and with perseverance, character; and with character, hope. I want your life to be blessed - but not just in a material, temporary way. When I say that I am blessed, I mean the same thing: God has declared his inherent goodness on my life. I know this because of my faith in his son, Jesus Christ. This goodness, which may or may not be evident in this world, will most certainly be audaciously visible in the next. So I went back last week and bought the frame. I am blessed. Blessings, Sarah and Forever Cobb 7
26 Comments
Beth Kutcher
8/5/2018 09:23:38 pm
Thank you 💓
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Angie Gray
8/5/2018 10:36:50 pm
We are all blessed for knowing Katie & your family. You all are an inspiration & a blessing.
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Erin Gress
8/5/2018 10:47:26 pm
I believe we have been blessed to know and love Katie.Thank you for sharing your words,thoughts and heart with us.💜
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Donetta Akers
8/5/2018 10:51:19 pm
We are blessed!
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Darlene Geyer
8/5/2018 11:12:47 pm
THIS picture is a blessing. It’s a beautiful moment captured to hold dear in your memories 💜
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Staci Wallace
8/6/2018 05:45:57 am
The Forever Cobb 7 is a blessing to all of us. Your raw & courageous posts are full of God’s grace. Love the frame and the previous ladies pictured. What a treasured memory!
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Shannon Davis
8/6/2018 08:17:41 am
Amen. Just beautiful...and poignant and painful. Holding you in prayer today. I forwarded this to several mom warriors who inspire me daily and for whom I pray this post brings comfort. You are a blessing.
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Gypsy
8/6/2018 08:49:43 am
Amazing. Love to all.
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Sam &Amy Preston
8/6/2018 09:31:38 am
Let me say we are blessed beyond measure!! From this photo frame to our Heavenly Father with open arms waiting to greet us home one day soon. Yes!!! We are so blessed!! I pray for you and your family. We were so Blessed when your parents helped Zach for two years. I can not say how blessed we are. That is where he meet Katie and the other grandchildren and still talks about them as if they are related to him. How blessed we are. One day soon Miss Katie!! God Bless your family!!
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Whitney Cox
8/6/2018 03:22:29 pm
Wow! This is absolutely beautiful! 💜
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Shannon Louk
8/7/2018 10:24:34 am
Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your heart.
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Rick Wilton
8/8/2018 08:24:52 am
TGBTG! Thank you for teaching us through your words. Very moving and convicting.
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Karla Tackett
8/10/2018 10:09:20 am
You and your family have and are an inspiration to all of us that read your blog and see you putting one foot in front of the other everyday.
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