Sometimes, what we want to avoid, can produce fruit we always wanted. The past week was a time of recovery for me following some unexpected dental surgery. What I hoped was a simple extraction came with a little more work and pain than I expected, but thankfully, I am in the final stages of the healing process.

While my experiences with dental work were always good, I did not look forward to the surgery or the recovery. If it could have been avoided, I would have done just that. No one likes to experience pain but, as in the case my tooth extraction, it can be necessary to get to where we need to go.

What I did not expect were the blessings that would come from this experience. Yes, I expected to be healthier and in less discomfort once the damaged tooth was removed, but the other blessings were a welcome surprise.

I was able to catch up on some much needed sleep and to spend a quantity of quality time with my wife and youngest daughter (even if the pain medication made me a little odd at times). I found time to read for work and for pleasure, to get caught up on computer work and to solve a few crossword puzzles. I found the joy in simple things like the comfort of lemon ice, the taste of store brand ice cream, and the pleasure of eating solid food again (especially when that food is my wife’s homemade meatloaf and mashed potatoes).

There were also the more meaningful blessings like the prayers, thought and calls of family and friends, the welcome at church as I enjoyed my first day out, and the welcome of friends the following day as I joined them for coffee. I especially appreciated the time I spent aware of the presence of God in prayer, devotions and meditation.

In the midst of a challenging and somewhat painful time, came a myriad of unexpected, yet very welcome blessings. As I look back over the past week, I cannot help but think of what a small sample of life it represents. How many important blessings are only discovered when we walk through challenges? How much life is there to be found even in the midst of pain.

None of us want pain and challenge, but when we must go through them, maybe we can find strength by looking at the blessings they uncover and the new opportunities they present. Throughout my recovery, my wife kept offering me things to, “help take my mind off of the pain.” Maybe, when when our focus is on God, friends and family, and on the precious blessings that are ours in the midst of our adversity, we can do just that.