How Can You Bless Someone Today?

Philippians 2:1-4 says..."If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." 


Have you ever been in a situation where you needed some one's help?
You tried to remedy the situation yourself, but found that you just couldn't do it alone?


Vulnerable.


I will admit:  vulnerability scares me.  I don't like admitting that I need help.  My mom said I was like this, even as a young child.  Very independent.  Spunky.  Sometimes sassy, as I'm sure my mom would tell you.


About 6 years ago, I needed to have a medical procedure performed in a doctor's office.  The procedure would last around 2 hours, from start to finish.


I was scared.  No, not scared of the pain from the procedure.  I could handle that.  I just didn't know what I was going to do with my 3-year-old son.  There was no amount of Color Wonder markers/books that could keep him busy for that long!  Thankfully, my older son would be at school.  Unfortunately, my husband couldn't be away from work on that particular day.


My parents now live 20 miles from me, but at the time, I had no family living nearby.    Friends, yes.  But many of them worked, and my young son had never stayed with anyone other than family.  
What would I do?  I prayed that God would help me...

1. Find a solution to the problem
2. Embrace my stubbornness 
3. Give in to being vulnerable

God placed a certain friend on my heart.  I knew I should call her, but again, my fear of not wanting to impose or "put her out" stopped me.
Maybe I could just schedule the procedure for another day.
No.  I knew it had to be done.


I picked up the phone and called my friend.  I explained the situation and apologized for "needing help".
That's when my friend said something that I'll never forget.
"You have helped me numerous times.  Why is it hard for you to allow people to bless you, when you need help?"


I had never thought of it like that; denying someone the chance to bless me.  For God to bless me through them.  But that's what happens.  When we think we have it all together, when we don't want to appear weak or vulnerable, we sometimes miss out on blessings.


Not only did my friend keep my younger son during my procedure, she prepared a delicious meal for my family's dinner.  I can't begin to describe how blessed and loved I felt!  


The dinner was a huge hit in our home, so I got the recipe from my friend.  Every time I make this dish, I think of my special friend, and I am reminded of how blessed I truly am!


I would love to share the recipe with you!  Here it is...


Baker's Chicken


4 chicken breasts
1/2 stick of butter
1 pkg. dry Italian dressing mix
1/2 cup of white wine
1 can of cream of chicken soup
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 box of angel hair or bow-tie pasta 


In large sauce pan, melt butter on low heat.  Add dry mix, stir in wine and soup.  Add softened cream cheese.  Stir until smooth.
Spray 9X13 pan with Pam.  Place frozen chicken breasts on bottom of pan and pour sauce over.  Cover w/foil.
Bake @ 350 for 1 hour.  Serve over your favorite pasta.
Enjoy!