Maybe you've had a hard week.

Your spirit feels worn out and overspent.

(Blessed are the poor in spirit.)

Perhaps behind that Happy Sabbath smile is a broken heart.

(Blessed are those who mourn.)

Maybe this week you've been humbled by a mistake at work,

(Blessed are the meek.)

or you find yourself spiritually empty.

(Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.)

Maybe you've been wronged by someone this week,

(Blessed are the merciful.)

or tempted above what you thought you could bear.

(Blessed are the pure in heart.)

Perhaps your home life is filled with conflict,

(Blessed are the peacemakers.)

and maybe even your religious faith is under attack.

(Blessed are those who are persecuted.)

*

Maybe you've been blessed this week: blessed in your emptiness to receive of God's fullness, blessed in your pain to receive God's comfort, blessed in your need to receive God's provision, blessed in your hurt to receive God's healing.

Whatever the "blessings" you've received, the words of David are fitting:

"I love you, O Lord, my strength."

(Psalm 18:1) He becomes our strength when we are weak, so

thank You, God, for my weaknesses.

thank You for not telling me yet how I'm going to pay my rent this month.

thank You for the pain of living apart from my husband.

thank You for my engine leaking oil.

thank You for the uncertainty in my future.

thank You for the evenings of loneliness.

thank You for giving me these opportunities to need you.

I love you, O Lord, my strength.

*(Jesus spoke these blessings in Matthew 5:3-12.)

moves and removes