One day while walking the dog I found a treasure in the form of a neatly folded handwritten note on the sidewalk. The note was clearly written and laying there as if it fell out of someone’s pocket unknowingly. Perhaps you will be blessed as I was by this simple God thing.
Not seeing anyone around, I bent down and picked it up.
It looked like a numbered list. Yet each one of them started off with “blessed are…” It was the beatitudes written in a personal form and great words for each one of us to apply to our lives.
“My Mom had her own unique way of following the beatitudes in raising us.
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, she always wanted us to seek out spiritual understanding.
- Blessed are the meek. When she felt down she humbled herself by not complaining so much about physical ailments.
- Blessed are they which seek righteousness. She taught me to play fair, wait my turn and to share equally.
- Blessed are the merciful. She avoided complaining about the actions of others, knowing we all make mistakes.
- Blessed are the pure of heart. Always giving a disgusted look and turning her head when something perverse was expressed.
- Blessed are the peacemakers. Taught me to be mindful of escalating arguments and using silence to diffuse them.
- Blessed are the persecuted for righteousness sake. Bringing to my attention to do the right thing, even if it was unpopular.
- Blessed are you when men revile you. Falsely saying all manner of evil against you. Lying was not tolerated in the house I grew up in; neither was tattle-telling.
In short, I was instructed to honor family not worship family.
Aren’t these a treasure?
These are wise words written by a person I can only imagine was sad when this was no longer in his/her back pocket. Yet I’m thankful that note was found in my direct path while walking the dog. It got me thinking that sometimes you may not hear another person’s story when they speak to you yet you feel their story when you read about it; even in part.
Come join me in UnMuting Me where topics like this are talked about inclusively in the group.
