Blessed beyond measure 8/25/19

[Brad Fox]

I was blessed beyond measure today.

Jesus said "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

I took my disabled brother Kim to see Lion King tonight after he'd come home from 7 weeks of hospital stay and skilled nursing recuperation. It was good to be back to "normal" with him and I could tell that he really enjoyed himself. It made my day to see him restored to his former happiness!

As we stepped out of the auditorium I checked my phone for messages and this is what I got:

"Hey Mr.Fox! I don't know if you remember me but I took your 7th grade science class back in 2007. I start my first gross anatomy class tomorrow at Tufts School of Dental Medicine and Its making me reminisce of how I got to where I am. I just wanted to thank you for how much of an impact you made in my life. I will never forget that first evolution lesson with binder clips and marbles! Thank you again and I hope everything is going well."

No sooner had we left the theater and walked to a nearby restaurant but a young man named Roy stepped up to greet me and recall that he had me as a student teacher in Don Thomas' 5th grade class at Live Oak school (1992). He praised me for a book that I taught the class. He said he'd never forgotten the lessons from that book!

I had started the day (after church) in a meeting with one of my youth group "girls" who is now a young mother and wife and a professional social worker. I believe that she was in youth group in about the late 90's or shortly thereafter. She taught me about resources for homeless people for the better part of 90 minutes. I was so gratified to see how far she has come in her life. I was honored to be her student!

In the afternoon I visited a prospective elder care home for brother Kim. The owner/operator is a lovely, God-loving woman with an absolutely spectacular home that may be a perfect fit for him to live independent of me. It is an answer to prayer!

Then I was privileged to give a testimony in our church prayer group about the importance of my pastor's work in my own life. I

read a heartfelt letter about all he has inspired me to do, and all he has helped me through. It was my chance to bless him for all the blessings he has poured into me over several decades of life.

Blessings from students returning after many years (1992,1999, 2007). The chance to bless my brother. The chance to bless my pastor. All within one day.

It's true. God really does overflow and "pack down" our blessings. This was a day where God's word once again came alive in my life.

Thank you for blessing me God; beyond measure!