Morning Blessing Run

I have discovered something about folks I encounter on my early morning jogs. These are folks who are either watering their yard, picking their paper up off the driveway or exercising...walking, running, cycling. They are usually pretty focused on what they're doing but will wave or offer a sort of perfunctory, "G'morning!" Of course I return the greeting in the same sort of perfunctory way.

One morning I was the recipient of the usual greeting. But what came out of my mouth in return was, "Bless you!" Where'd that come from? Well, something happened. It lit a smile on that neighbor's early morning face. Made me feel pretty good too. Soon I encountered another person on my running route. "Bless you!" Another smile, and another, and another.

What I have discovered about folks is that if you extend a blessing to them it really lights up their life. Its like getting a gift you didn't expect. I've yet to get a frown in response to a greeting of, "Bless you!" Yesterday I gave a blessing to a young mother in her front yard. She was strolling around with her barely walking toddler. The mom radiated a smile. The toddler looked with curiosity at this tall guy jogging down the street, smiled, and gave me a little wave.

I've discovered something about my self as well. When I extend the blessing of God to someone else, I feel blessed too. Psalm 128:5 says, "The Lord bless you from Zion, and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life."

BLESS YOU!