I was driving down Blessen Rd, when my GPS told me to turn onto Costley Rd.

I chuckled a bit and considered stopping to take a picture of the signs, but I already had people waiting.

Same story when I was leaving. Yes, I am frequently chasing the clock to my destination.

Now those of you who know my dad, or at least read his blog posts, will not be surprised that this apple didn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to being inspired into a song.

Mine was from The Sound of Music when Fräulein Maria and Captain Von Trapp decide to get married.

Maria sings:

Perhaps I had a wicked childhood,
Perhaps I had a miserable youth,
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past
There must have been a moment of truth.
.
For here you are, standing there, loving me,
Whether or not you should.
So somewhere in my youth or childhood,
I must have done something good.
.
Nothing comes from nothing,
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth or childhood,
I must have done something good.

It was certainly a costly road to her blessing!

But that got me thinking about blessings.

How do you get a blessing?

It’s something you earn, if Maria’s song is to be believed. (“I must have done something good.”)

That doesn’t sound like a blessing, if you must earn it. That sounds like a wage, an equal exchange, for something we can’t begin to deserve.

And then there’s the line: “Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could.”

And that got me thinking about the book of John and what he wrote about Jesus (“The Word”) in the beginning of his gospel:

“In the beginning was the one
Who is called the Word.
The Word was with God
And was truly God.
From the very beginning
The Word was with God.
.
And with this Word,
God created all things.
Nothing was made
Without the Word.
Everything that was created
Received its life from him,
And his life gave light
to everyone…

Nothing comes from nothing, because nothing ever was! (never was? wasn’t?)

The Word became
A human being
And lived here with us.
We saw his true glory,
The glory of the only Son
Of the Father.
From him the complete gifts
Of undeserved grace and truth
Have come down to us…

The life of Jesus was witnessed, recorded, and distributed throughout the world. We know what it cost Him, at least as far as we can imagine the horrendous suffering He endured for each of us.

Because of all that the Son is,
We have been given one blessing
After another” (John 1:4, 14, and 16).

As we approach Easter, I hope you will take a second away from the egg hunting, coordinated outfits, and photos, to remember why all these silly, fun, traditions matter.

At the intersection of Costley and Blessen is the life of Jesus, and the life He gives us. It was indescribably costly for Him, and given as a free blessing for you.

 

Today’s special edition post is from Tova Dad, my favorite daughter and Virtual Assistant. She lives outside of Amarillo with her husband and their two daughters.

About

Just an ordinary guy living an amazing life. Amazed by God and joining Him in His amazing activity in the world. Seeking the flourishing of fellow travelers. Author, Blogger, Speaker, Singer, CoachSultant, Husband, Dad, Grandpa.