I recall this young woman came out of the blue and shared this neat analogy with my friends at Catholic Christian Outreach. We were just chatting on our study break.

She was overjoyed and ecstatic. She recently got engaged and you could see the glow radiate from her face. She showed off her ring. I showed curiosity as she said:

“Okay, it’s important to follow God. Let’s say you have God on one end and your blessings on the other. You’re in the middle. If you follow your blessings you stray away from God. If you follow God, your blessings will follow you!”

It was great to see her praise God for the blessings in her life, especially her engagement and her hope for a beautiful marriage. I was reminded to always put God first, even over the bigger blessings in our life. I don’t think she was involved with CCO and I can’t remember if I saw her again. But her message lives on.

Surely there are many blessings for us today during this pandemic. My new apartment is one of my recent blessings. I’m living in Centertown. I lived with siblings but now I’m on my own. While I love them to death, I gotta say, it’s really nice to have a space to myself.

My apartment is close to the canal, Little Italy, and the highway. I am also a 15 minute walk to St. Patrick’s Basilica. I would wager it’s the most beautiful church in Ottawa. I’ve got a parking spot, heat, and a really nice hot shower. I also have a fridge to myself. No one eats my food. What more could I ask for?

Ah, but I am reminded to follow God and not my blessings. God comes first. Always! What are your blessings today?

Let’s be thankful for them. And remind ourselves that they have a source: the great goodness of God. He cares for us, as we are his spiritual children.

“But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Check out more stories of faith! Click here for more content.