Released in 2011, "Blessings" by Laura Story is more than just a contemporary Christian radio hit; it is a profound meditation on faith, suffering, and the redefinition of divine favor. While many seekers look for the lyrics to sing along, the true weight of the song lies in its origins—a narrative born from a young couple's darkest valley. This article provides the complete lyrics of "Blessings," explores the heart-wrenching story behind the composition, and analyzes why its message of "mercies in disguise" continues to resonate globally.

The Complete Lyrics of Blessings by Laura Story

Below is the full lyrical content of the song as performed on the 2011 album of the same name.

(Verse 1) We pray for blessings We pray for peace Comfort for family, protection while we sleep We pray for healing, for prosperity We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering And all the while, You hear each spoken need Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

(Chorus) 'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You're near? And what if trials of this life Are Your mercies in disguise?

(Verse 2) We pray for wisdom Your voice to hear And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love As if every promise from Your Word is not enough And all the while, You hear each desperate plea And long that we'd have faith to believe

(Chorus) 'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You're near? What if trials of this life Are Your mercies in disguise?

(Bridge) When friends betray us When darkness seems to win We know that pain reminds this heart That this is not, this is not our home It's not our home

(Chorus 2) 'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? And what if a thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You're near? What if my greatest disappointments Or the aching of this life Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy? And what if trials of this life The rain, the storms, the hardest nights Are Your mercies in disguise?

What is the story behind the song Blessings?

To understand the lyrics of "Blessings," one must look back to 2006, just two years into Laura Story’s marriage to her husband, Martin Elvington. Martin, an athlete and healthy young man, was suddenly diagnosed with a brain tumor. The subsequent years were a whirlwind of surgeries, radiation, complications, and a permanent disability that altered the course of their lives forever.

During this period, Story found herself in a spiritual crisis that many believers face: the disconnect between the "Prosperity Gospel" (the idea that faith leads to health and wealth) and the crushing reality of chronic illness. She was praying fervently for Martin’s complete healing—for the tumor to disappear, for his memory to return, and for their "normal" life to be restored.

However, as the healing she imagined failed to materialize in the way she requested, Story began to grapple with the character of God. She realized that her prayers were often focused on "lesser things"—physical comfort and the absence of pain. The song "Blessings" emerged from her realization that God’s love might be too great to simply grant her an easy life if a difficult one would produce a more profound spiritual fruit. The "raindrops," "tears," and "sleepless nights" mentioned in the chorus were not metaphors; they were the literal experiences of her caregiving journey.

Lyrical Analysis: Redefining Divine Favor

The genius of "Blessings" lies in its lyrical structure, which contrasts human petitions with divine perspective.

Verse 1: The Human Petition

The opening lines, "We pray for blessings, we pray for peace," reflect the universal human desire for security. These are not "bad" prayers; they are the standard requests for family comfort, protection, and prosperity. However, the pivot comes at the end of the verse: "Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things." This suggests a radical theological shift—that physical health or financial stability might actually be "lesser" compared to the spiritual intimacy found in the midst of trial.

The Chorus: The "What If" Questions

The chorus is composed entirely of questions. By using the phrase "What if," Story avoids being dogmatic or dismissive of pain. She invites the listener to consider an alternative reality where "raindrops" (trials) are actually the delivery mechanism for "blessings." The term "mercies in disguise" has since become a staple phrase in modern Christian vocabulary, summarizing the belief that God uses difficult circumstances to refine character and draw people closer to Himself.

Verse 2: The Struggle with Silence

Verse 2 addresses the emotional fallout of suffering: anger, doubt, and the feeling of God’s absence. "We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near" acknowledges that faith is not a stoic state of mind but a messy, emotional process. It validates the listener's frustration, making the song an anthem for those who feel their prayers are hitting a "brass ceiling."

The Bridge: The Eternal Perspective

The bridge provides the theological "anchor" for the song. By stating "this is not our home," the lyrics lean into the Christian concept of the "Eternal Home" or Heaven. It suggests that pain serves a functional purpose: it keeps the human heart from becoming too comfortable in a broken world, acting as a reminder that fulfillment lies elsewhere.

Musical Composition and Production

Musically, "Blessings" is a masterclass in restrained emotion. Written in the key of B Major with a tempo of approximately 115-116 BPM, the song relies heavily on a melodic piano line that feels both somber and hopeful.

The Role of the Piano

The piano arrangement, often played by Story herself, mimics the steady fall of rain. The simplicity of the instrumentation ensures that the listener focuses on the weight of the lyrics. There are no aggressive drums or complex synthesizers; the ballad stays in an acoustic, intimate space, making it feel like a personal prayer whispered in a quiet room.

Vocal Delivery

Laura Story’s vocal performance is notably vulnerable. She does not use the powerhouse belting common in contemporary pop; instead, she maintains a conversational, almost weary tone that matches the theme of "sleepless nights." This authenticity is what allowed the song to cross over from specific church settings to mainstream radio.

Awards, Recognition, and Impact

The impact of "Blessings" was immediate and historic within the music industry. Following its release on February 21, 2011, as the lead single from her second studio album, the song achieved several milestones:

  1. Grammy Award: In 2012, it won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song.
  2. GMA Dove Awards: It swept the 43rd Annual Dove Awards, winning Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.
  3. Billboard Success: The song spent 34 weeks on the Billboard Christian Songs chart, peaking at #1 and remaining there for four consecutive weeks.
  4. RIAA Certification: It was certified Platinum in 2014, a rare feat for a worship ballad, signifying over one million units sold.

Beyond the awards, the song's legacy is found in its "utility." It is frequently used in hospitals, grief counseling centers, and during funeral services. It provides a vocabulary for people who are experiencing tragedy but do not want to abandon their faith.

How "Blessings" Expanded into a Literary Work

Following the massive success of the song, Laura Story authored a book titled What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? (later followed by other titles like When God Doesn't Fix It). The book delves deeper into the stories of people she met while touring—individuals who had lost children, faced terminal diagnoses, or endured financial ruin—and how they found "mercies in disguise."

The book serves as an extension of the song's bridge, exploring the "greater thirst" mentioned in the second chorus. Story argues that if our lives were perfect, we would never seek the Giver, only the gifts. Therefore, the "aching of this life" is the revealing of a thirst that the world cannot satisfy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the main message of the song Blessings?

The main message is that God’s blessings and healing do not always look like the removal of pain or the granting of material success. Instead, God often uses trials, tears, and difficult seasons to bring about a deeper spiritual growth and a closer relationship with Him.

When was Blessings by Laura Story released?

The song was released as a single on February 21, 2011, and was the title track of her album released on April 12, 2011.

Did Laura Story write the song herself?

Yes, Laura Story is the sole credited songwriter for "Blessings." The lyrics were written during her personal journey of caring for her husband after his brain tumor diagnosis.

Is the song based on a Bible verse?

While not a direct quote, the song echoes themes from several scriptures, including James 1:2-4 ("Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds...") and Romans 8:28 ("And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him...").

Why is the song called "Blessings" if it's about suffering?

The title is ironic and provocative. It challenges the listener to redefine "blessing" not as a comfortable circumstance, but as anything that draws an individual closer to the divine, even if that thing is painful.

Conclusion: Why the Song Remains a Classic

"Blessings" remains a cornerstone of 21st-century spiritual music because it refuses to offer easy answers. In a culture that often demands instant gratification and "quick fixes," Laura Story’s lyrics provide a space for the "unanswered prayer." By reframing raindrops as blessings and trials as mercies, the song offers a psychological and spiritual lifeline to those in the midst of the storm.

Whether you are listening to the gentle piano chords for the first time or looking up the lyrics to find comfort in a difficult season, the song serves as a reminder that the hardest nights are often the ones where the "greater thirst" is finally revealed and met. It is a rare piece of art that acknowledges the "aching of this life" while simultaneously pointing toward a hope that transcends it.

Summary of Key Facts

  • Artist: Laura Story
  • Release Year: 2011
  • Album: Blessings
  • Key Themes: Faith in trials, unanswered prayer, spiritual growth.
  • Primary Instruments: Piano and vocals.
  • Top Award: Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song (2012).