Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes)

The Beatitudes came to mind today.

3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Between business, school stress, a bad cold, and personal confusions, I've felt more than a bit downtrodden.
My spirit is heavy -- God grants me hope of a greater gift. When I despair and cry out, He is there to listen and to comfort me. At times I feel worthless and unimportant; Christ offers me a prized position and His full inheritance.
I long for wisdom and holiness to fill my empty heart. I'm completed and satisfied through faith in my Savior. I can't say I've had much opportunity to be merciful lately, but I pray that my heart will not view others with a judgmental or hateful eye, so that mercy may be taken on me.
Let my heart be pure, seeking to know and trust the Creator who fashioned me, and let me see Him for myself more and more clearly.
May I be a reconciler, a unifier instead of a disrupter or a force of separation.
I want to be righteous. This is not my home.

(I feel a little disconnected today. This isn't my best entry. Maybe I'll do another one later. Let's pray for each other, friends.)