By Kathy Monnin
Versailles News
Finding the blessing in every situation is a challenging task. But if we believe everything happens for a reason and all things work together for good to those who love God the blessings are easier to uncover. In this world we can only comprehend the good, the blessings, and the promises in a dark manner by believing what we cannot see and trusting when we cannot understand or prove. So, for us who are called according to His purpose we find every blessing by way of gratitude.
Our world, life, family, friends, coworkers, everyone and everything is a gift. A gift is something given freely, for no recompense, a blessing. Contrary to modern society’s beliefs there are no accidental births. For all things come forth from the creator, therefore even an unplanned pregnancy is a blessing. And every life has a purpose. Every person, regardless of intellect, social status, age, gender, race, creed, ability, education, and/or bank account, has been called into existence for a reason.
Children are born from the love of their parents. However, their lives are not an exact carbon copy of the parents, brothers, sisters, or relatives. Each one of us is born free and equal not because of man but because of our Creator. The founders of our constitution recognized this when they declared it “truth” and stated it as “self-evident.” Humans are not chattel. We have freewill and each of us obtains personal lessons learned from our experiences. Different experiences result in different lessons, insights, memories, and perspectives and forms uniqueness which we can offer as our gift to others.
People enjoy hearing personal stories, even if we don’t care to reveal them. Our confessions or adventures give others a different insight which can motivate them or keep them from repeating our mistakes, which is a blessing. We too can help a person learn from their own experiences.
We may think we need to look hard to find the blessings in our life, but I have found others are quick to point them out. It is always easier to identify another person’s blessings than our own. Trust what people see in you and vice versa. Open your heart. Be grateful for everything. No matter how bad a situation gets it could always be worse and we don’t have to look far to see someone who has it worse. Keep in mind this world is transient. Nothing lasts forever, not even the tough times and soon you will be seeing the good in everyone and everything.
We gain wisdom during our greatest challenges. Eventually we realize no one is exempt from suffering losses and setbacks within their life. Thus, we grow in awareness, understanding, and compassion. We realize that no one is exempt from pain and suffering. Although the experiences and knowledge are not always pleasant, it should be considered a blessing. In hardship we discover our true friends, those devoted and loyal friends. The ones that will never abandon you or leave you when you need them the most. The ones who will never lie or deceive you intentionally. The ones who are supportive, honest, compassionate, attentive, kind, trustworthy and loving. The blessing of such friends in our lives makes us want to be a better friend to them and a better person to others. And if we are without that friend, that too can be a blessing, for we might be apt to help others in their time of need because we know how it feels to be unaided.
Family and friends give us love and support. However flawed they may be they are special blessings within our lives. On occasion they can hurt or disappoint us, the same as we can do them. But again, from our relationships we learn how to be a blessing to others, since we know what we crave. As a result of this messy world, we learn understanding, faithfulness, respect, understanding, tolerance, forgiveness, and countless other qualities.
There is always some good in everything bad and there is usually some bad in everything that we think to be good. Consequently, we must be careful with our freewill. We can be tantalized by something that appears good but is really bad. Sometimes it’s difficult to believe something can be legal but still be bad for us, such as owning an exotic animal.
We should always count our blessings and keep our heart filled with gratitude. We are secure in our homes, community, and government. We are safe in our jobs, in our cars, on the highways, and in public places. We have relaxation built into every work week, we have our health, or access to medical treatment as needed. We have freedom and freewill to choose our occupation, vehicle, community, and we have no limits on income. We can work as hard as we want and earn as much as we desire without governmental interference. We can absolutely find blessings wherever we are, with whatever we have, wherever we go, and in whatever we do by maintaining a grateful heart.
“You will be blessed the moment you realize you already are.” ~Bryant McGill
“Blessed are the hearts that can bend; they shall never be broken.” ~Albert Camus
“When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place.” ~CS Lewis
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, Feb. 3, 5–7 p.m., Fish Fry at the Ansonia American Legion.
Saturday, Feb. 4, noon–8 p.m., Versailles FFA Soup and Sandwich Social will be held in the Versailles Schools Cafetorium.
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2-6 p.m., Karaoke and Open Kitchen at the Ansonia American Legion.
Monday, Feb. 6, 1–3:30 p.m., Memory Lane Dance at the Greenville VFW. Music by Tom Everhart. Open to the public with $5 admission at the door.
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 9–10:30 a.m., (Widow/Widowers) Breakfast at the Wooden Spoon, near Versailles on 127.
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 5–7 p.m., Wings and Things at the Ansonia American Legion.
Sunday, Feb. 12, 5 p.m., Super Bowl Chili Cook Off Judging at the Ansonia American Legion. Entries must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. The bar will stay open for the entire game.
Monday, Feb. 13, 1–3:30 p.m., Memory Lane Dance “Valentine’s Dance” at the Greenville VFW. Music by Tom Everhart. Open to the public with $5 admission at the door.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 5–7 p.m., Reuben sandwiches at the Ansonia American Legion.
Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 a.m.–noon, Versailles FFA Free Omelet Breakfast and toy show held in the school. Those interested in attending must RSVP Taylor Bergman at (937) 621-9136 by Feb. 17.
Happy genuine birthday wishes to 7-pound baby Meredith Janet Stucke, daughter of Lindsey and Mitch Stucke who was born on Wednesday, February 1st. Also birthday wishes to Ethel Lenker, Kathy Wespirer, Joyce Burch, Eileen Buell Schulze, Brenda Demeter, Karen Magoto, Chris Gigandet, Kathy McCoy Gehret, Doug Barhorst, Mary Jo Puthoff, Alvin Drees, Ann Eiting, Linda Spahr, Randi Smith, Karen Raterman, Betty Poeppelman, Jeff Whitaker, Tyler DeMange, Andrea Raterman, Angie Via, Eric Brown, Ted Detrick, Marylou Bornhorst, Mary Jo Ronnebaum, Jill Siegel, Mike Magoteaux, Alyssa Minter, Jackie Kremer, Heather Zechar, Holly Keiser, Steve Osborne, Mandi Riegle, Jill Swallow, Jean Grieshop, Matt Hurley, Larry Kruckenberg, Gloria Batty, Nancy Taylor, Luke Stachler, Lisa Magoto, David Buxton, Chuck Langenkamp, Craig Reed, Elizabeth Barga, Diane Heeter, Vicki Ahlers, Kyle Gigandet and all who are celebrating birthdays in the upcoming weeks, as well as anniversary wishes to Jessica and Jon Pothast (27), Teresa and Tollie Turner (46), Elaine and Harold Langston (61), and all couples celebrating anniversaries. Please keep in your prayers Edward Whittaker (57), Katie Quinter Bollheimer (59), Cindy Meiring Brown (66), Jane House Stump (88), Betty Lancaster Fox (93), and all those who have passed, including those whose anniversary of their passing is near. Please give your prayers of comfort and healing for the sick and suffering, for those who struggle, the caregivers and those who mourn the loss of their loved ones.
As an act of kindness, let someone know what a blessing they are and why. Often other people reveal our life gifts and purpose rather than us figuring it out on our own. They might even surprise us by offering their perspective of what makes us a blessing to them.
