UPFRONT January 12, 2009 Issue

PART OF A WIDER CIRCLE

PATRICIA KADICK, STAFF EDITOR

Isn't it so like God to give each of one us opportunities to discover how to be a blessing—how to individually and tangibly touch other lives with the sweetness of His healing presence? As a hymn in the Christian Science Hymnal observes, "For blessings flow where'er He reigns" (No. 272).

It seems to me that we all yearn to be a blessing. Figuring out how best to accomplish that goal may not always be easy—the options are endless. We can teach. Help a neighbor. Become active in church or community service. Maybe just be a good listener. I'm still finding my way, but a milestone for me has been in realizing that simply being on the giving side is only half the story. Without generously accepting what others are doing for us, the circle of blessing is never quite complete.

In his article, "Live to bless and bless to live," Hans-Joachim Trapp puts it this way: "Since each individual is part of one big whole, our life-experience can only be blessed if we live our lives with loving interest for the whole" (p. 6). He suggests adopting a life that's anchored in the recognition of God's graceful abundance for His entire creation. This is a beautiful concept, since one meaning of the word adopt is "to embrace." In the roundtable discussion that follows, young people explore the idea that following God's guidance in helping others never shortchanges their own desires and goals (see "Blessings all around," p. 10).

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