Thpught for Tuesday, May 8th

May 8, 2012 

Are You Really Blessed 

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven..

Matthew 5:1-16

Quote of the Day

“Some people are always complaining that roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” – Alphonse Karr

Today’s Thoughts and Insights:

Blessings can come in many varying forms, shapes, degrees and sizes: but there is not one among us who has not been blessed.

Some blessings come in the format of a wish or saying:

“May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and the road downhill all the way to your door.” – Irish Blessing

“May you live a thousand years, and I, a thousand years less one day, that I might never now the world without you.” – Hungarian Blessing

“May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp, and peace in your heart.” – Eskimo Blessing

At other times blessings take on a more tangible context, such as a meal when your hungry or warm clothes when you’re cold.

Some of our blessings are spiritual in nature, such as forgiveness for our sins, grace and mercy extended towards us: strength and endurance to get us through a tough time.

But I sometimes wonder if maybe the greatest blessings in life are not those that we receive, but rather, those we are able to give.

We can often bless each other with words or deeds, but greater still are those times when we can bless God by just giving Him all that we are to praise Him, adore Him and love Him without anticipation or expectation of a blessing in return.

It is a great honor and joy to be blessed but what an even greater experience is there to be had when we can be not the beneficiary of the blessing; but rather the benefactor.  And when we can bless God in word, deed, attitude, spirit and through the truth of our daily devotion to Him, what more or greater height could we ever hope to attain?

Today’s Prayer

Father, you’re the greatest giver of blessing that I know: help me to be a giver of blessings too; to my friends, my family, my fellow man and most importantly to you.

“God bless us everyone.”

– Charles Dickens

“This is my cry: This is my song,

You are my guiding light, when the way is unknown;

And when the sunny skies, turn shades of gray,

I’ll stay close by your side: As you lead the way.

Jesus lead on I will follow:

Jesus lead on, let your love light the way… “

-  Lyrics from ‘Jesus Lead On’ by Brent Helming