Not What I Want, BUT Always What I Need!

http://bible.com/116/psa.23.2-6.nlt He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the lord forever. Bible.com/app

I'm away from the office this week, working at our Camp in Midlothian, Texas for Older Adult Camp.  Now, I may be busy, but I am finding time to rest, even more so, then I would were I at home.  HE is giving my rest, renewing me.  I was talking to somone the other day about the concept I learned during a sociology class, of an emotional bank.  The principle was that before making "withdrawals" or "debits" by negative comments about things, you first need to make "deposits", by affirmations so that you have more then enough to cover any "debits" you make. 
I started thinking about this in regards to a spiritual bank as well.  Those "Darkest Valleys", are debits or withdrawals in our spiritual bank.  It's like we're a pitcher, and each "Dark Thing", such as trials- sickness, financial difficulties, family problems, or even relationship problems with friends and love ones.  Each of those things takes a little out of us.  If we're a pitcher, each one takes a little liquid out of our pitcher. 
We have to make sure we have enough to still keep the pitcher full, especially in the darkest valleys.  God will do this for us!  His rod and staff with comfort us, He will bless us, even in front of our enemies, allowing us to overcome them (or it, as our enemies don't have to be a person, but anything that keeps us from having a full, loving relationship with God).  His goodness and mercy, His unfailing love will come to us, when we are willing to recieve it, giving us- not what we want, but what we need, we will be full up.  When we are dwelling in the house of the Lord, even though those "dark valleys" take from us, withdrawaling from us, no matter how much it tries to take, we will always have enough to have enough , and our spiritual bank, and even our emotional bank will be able to cover any withdrawal.

Being a Blessing can give you a blessing.

Scripture Thought
http://bible.com/97/2co.9.10-15.msg God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough! Bible.com/app

Let us never forget, as part of outreach, of reaching out to touch someone's life, we are a blessing to them, and an illustration of God's love for them. 
Also, let us remember, when we allow God to use us to be a blessing for someone, we are equally having the unique opportunity to recieve a blessing.  For it is often when we allow God to use us to show His love, grace, and mercy to the world, that we can be reminded of Hos love, grace and mercy for us.