Life doesn't always go as planned—but sometimes, what feels like rock bottom is where God's blessings begin to rise. If you're going through a hard time and you feel like your world is falling apart, this post is for you. Keep reading, and you may just find that what feels like misfortune today is actually God's blessings to you in the making.
We got back from Mother’s Day brunch, full and happy, only to walk into a puddle of water across the kitchen floor. Total mess. We had started a load of laundry before heading out, and apparently something clogged the pipe. The water backed up through the kitchen drain while we were gone. Of course, we panicked. But within 48 hours, we had an entire crew tearing out floors and investigating the damage. And, thank God, our insurance covered everything.
At first, it felt like a disaster. But as I sat down to breathe and reflect, something hit me. This might actually be a blessing in disguise. One of those "God's blessings to you" moments you only understand in hindsight. It reminded me that the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ doesn't leave us to face these messes alone. He steps in, sometimes in ways we least expect, to offer help, provision, peace of God, and a reminder of His faithfulness. The glory of God can shine even through damaged floors and chaos.
When Disaster Clears the Way
Truth is, we hadn’t done much upkeep on our house since we moved in ten years ago. The baseboards were warped, the laminate was cracking, and the walls looked... tired. We kept putting things off because life got in the way and the cost of fixing it all was overwhelming. But then—boom. Water leak. Forced renovation.
My wife called it "the worst Mother’s Day ever." But looking back now, we smile. Not because it hasn't been hard (it has been), but because God used something so frustrating to give us exactly what we needed. We didn’t go into debt. We didn’t have to figure it out alone. He lifted that burden in the most unexpected way.
That moment was a reminder of God’s presence. When everything seems to be falling apart, the Lord of Hosts holds it all together. Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, He opened the windows of heaven and poured out a blessing we didn’t expect—but desperately needed. It was proof that the heavenly places aren't so far from our daily life after all.
Life Fell Apart Before It Fell Into Place
I started thinking more deeply about other times in my life where disaster turned out to be divine. And let me tell you, I’ve had my share of messes.
After high school, I left home and came to California with one plan: get rich, get famous. I pictured myself running a major company, living on the beach, driving a Hummer, and married to a Hollywood actress. And with all that wisdom (note the sarcasm), I spent more time going to parties than I did studying. Unsurprisingly, my grades were trash and ended up right back where I started—home, broke, and embarrassed.
But my parents had grace. They believed in me and helped me open a trendy wine shop in the Palisades. I was all in. I worked nonstop, found an apartment in Marina Del Rey, and even got engaged to a model. Life looked good. Then the economy crashed. People stopped spending, the store tanked, and I lost it all. Business, apartment, wife—gone.
That was probably the lowest point of my life. And yet, that’s when I started talking to God for real. Not just the emergency prayers, but real, daily conversations. I began walking to a local church every morning. Just sitting. Praying. Asking for guidance. The power of the Holy Spirit was moving, even in the silence.
The greatest blessing in that season was God Himself—His voice, His comfort, and His promise that He had not abandoned me. The love of God wrapped itself around me in ways I never saw coming.
Small Beginnings, Big Changes
After some time, my dad gave me a job with his company. I spent most of that year on planes, traveling to trade shows. I didn’t have a clear purpose, but I stayed open. And I kept coming back to California when I could. And that’s when something unexpected happened: I met Sandra.
We met online, and funnily enough, we sent each other messages at the exact same time. A tiny coincidence, but it felt like a nudge from above. I was two hours late to our first date (I totally underestimated LA traffic), but she waited. Later, she told me her mom encouraged her not to cancel.
From the moment we met, I felt like I didn’t have to pretend. With her, I could just be me. Honest. Flawed. Human. And it felt good. We fell in love, did long distance for a while, and then got married. It was, hands down, the best decision I ever made.
I believe with all my heart that the Lord had prepared her for me—a good gift from the Father of Lights. She became my partner, my helpmate, and one of the most powerful ways God revealed His favor in my life. This is the kind of blessing of the Lord that enriches your life without adding sorrow.
A Different Kind of Rich
When our daughter was born in 2013, we decided to move back to California and plant roots. Sandra became a teacher, and she kept telling me, "You should try teaching too." At first, I laughed. I was a terrible student growing up, possibly undiagnosed ADD, and I never pictured myself as the one at the front of a classroom.
But I gave it a try. A friend suggested special education, and something about it felt right. I understood what it felt like to struggle in school. I knew what it meant to feel left behind. Slowly, this thing I never imagined doing became the calling I had been searching for. It felt like God had been preparing me for it all along, crafting something beautiful out of the brokenness. God's plan was never about material goods, but about producing good fruit through my work and my life.
Now, 10 years later, I’m a special education teacher. I don’t make a ton of money, but I wake up each day knowing I’m doing good work. When I see one of my students light up after passing a test they’ve failed again and again—that’s a win. That’s joy, that’s purpose, that’s the kind of crown of life the Bible talks about. Not fame, but faithful service. It’s the kind of spiritual blessing that the world can’t understand but heaven celebrates. I may not have wealth, but I live in peace, with the love of God guiding my heart.
We’re still not rolling in cash. We scrape by some months. But we have everything we need: a loving family, good health, and a home full of laughter. Our daughter is about to start middle school. And our son still has a few more years with his papa. We’ve been married 13 years. And not a single one of my original dreams came true—but I thank God everyday for that.
Seeing the Blessings You Almost Miss
If I had become the man I thought I wanted to be—a famous wineshop owner in LA, successful in the worldly sense—I would have missed out on everything that truly matters. I would have missed late-night talks with my wife, I would have missed bedtime stories with my kids, I would have missed the joy of helping a child believe in themselves.
The truth is, God’s blessings don’t always come in shiny packages. Sometimes they look like closed doors, broken relationships, or flooded kitchens. But behind it all is the hand of a loving Father. The heavenly Father, who sees what we cannot and gives us good things that lead to eternal life. He is the source of all blessing and the One who knows the desires of your heart even better than you do. He speaks through His Word and through the quiet moments when you are still enough to hear His voice.
I think of the words from Scripture:
- "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights." (James 1:17)
- "May God give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed." (Psalm 20:4)
- "You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." (Psalm 145:16)
He doesn’t always give us what we want, but He always gives us what we need. That’s the real blessing of the Lord. He shapes our lives not by our dreams, but by His perfect will. His plan is always greater than our own. It’s His good pleasure to bless His children and lead them to the kingdom of God. When we seek first His kingdom, He promises to add all these things unto us—including the greatest blessing: Himself.
Final Take Away: Trust God in the Mess
Looking back, every "disaster" brought me closer to the life I was meant to live. Closer to God, closer to my family, closer to peace. What I once saw as failure, He used to build something lasting—the kind of foundation no storm can shake.
If you’re going through something right now—whether it’s financial, emotional, or just plain confusing—I want to encourage you. Keep going, keep praying, keep trusting. God’s plan for you includes spiritual blessings you may not even recognize yet. As Scripture says, even the grass of the field is clothed by God—how much more will He care for you, O you of little faith?
God’s blessings to you might not look like what you expected. But they might be exactly what your heart truly needs. Sometimes He clears out what no longer serves you so He can make room for the good things. The perfect gift. The new life. The promised land your heart has longed for. The face of the Lord will shine upon you when you trust Him with all your heart.
Thanks for reading, friend. If this story touched your heart, leave a comment and share your own journey. I would love to hear it. And may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the love of God our Heavenly Father guide you, always and in all ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Lord’s blessings are the good things that come from God’s presence in our lives. These blessings go far beyond material goods. They include spiritual blessings like peace of God, joy in suffering, strength in hard times, and the wisdom that comes through God's Word. According to the New Testament, all blessings are found in Christ Jesus and flow from the heavenly realms. God’s favor isn't always flashy—it often shows up quietly, in the middle of our everyday messes.
God’s blessings can look like a loving family, the fruit of your womb, a new job, healing after illness, or simply a smiling face during a dark season. Sometimes, they come as new wine after a dry season. Other times, it’s the strength to keep going or the peace that surpasses understanding. When we walk in the commandments of the Lord and lean into His ways, we start to see even valleys turn into green pastures. The Bible is full of examples—from the families of the earth blessed through Abraham, to the people of Israel led into the promised land.
A simple way is to say, “God’s blessings to you,” or “May the Lord lift you up.” In the Hebrew word for blessing—“baruch”—there is a deep connection to praise and gratitude. In daily prayer, we often ask the heavenly Father to make His face shine upon us and pour out good measure from the windows of heaven. Saying “God bless you” is more than polite—it’s a reminder of the greatest blessing: His eternal love and presence.
Ann Marie says
As a new chaplain heading up a pastoral care ministry in my parish, this post is so helpful, especially at this particular time. Thank you and God bless your work.
Thierry says
Hi Ann Marie,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really touched that the post spoke to you, especially as you step into such a meaningful role in your parish. What a beautiful and important ministry—may God give you wisdom, strength, and compassion as you care for others. I’m so glad the post could offer some encouragement right when you needed it. God bless you and the work you're doing!
With gratitude,
Thierry