Blessed Are You

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:3-6

It's a dreary day, and the rain has been intermittent but the gray is a constant. Today I was reflecting on all those days when everything is gray and the world is cast in shadow. It happens to everyone, a moment when there doesn't seem to be light at the end of the tunnel, when everything done right is still turning out wrong. Times of loss, whether it is a loved one, a job, a home, direction -or all of the above - turn the world into a dark foreboding place and possibilities and blessings seem far off. We can feel as if we are being punished, or overlooked, even forgotten by God.

And yet, right here in the midst of the dark longing, where light seems never to shine, we hear the words, "blessed are you who mourn". Comfort is coming. Strength and courage are coming. A home, a place to rest your head, and food aplenty is coming. God knows our need more than we can cry out, and God considers us beloved children, today. God, who seems so far off on our dark days is calling out to us, inviting us to know again ourselves as beloved children, blessed and cared for tenderly.

So today, I want to give thanks for God's abiding love and care for us - even in our darkest, most un-trusting moments. I want to remember all the blessings I have known from God and celebrate them anew in my life. And I pray that we can all, in the midst of our darkest days, remember that God is acting for us, today, blessing us, even as the tears flow and the rain persists.