Then the father said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'" (Luke 15:31-32)
God’s blessing is ours as a gift of grace. Yet too often we feel too busy or unworthy to enjoy it.
So come whether you feel lost or found, prodigal or faithful today. Pause, abide, and refresh in the way to blessing.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Matthew 5:6-7
What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Granola? Pancakes? Leftover pizza?
Righteousness? Probably not.
But most of us actually do long to be filled with God’s blessings. We may not name it as such; other wants seem more immediate. Maybe we go to church sometimes just hoping to see that cute guy or girl, or because we feel like we should. But I think we’re hungry for the connection, assurance, comfort, and challenge of God’s radically inclusive blessings of forgiveness and redemption. We thirst to be accepted as is, to be encouraged, to be welcomed, and to be grown in righteousness ourselves.
Try as we might, we can’t find that same wonderful fullness and satisfaction through anything other than God’s loving mercy. Jesus offers himself as the bread of life, promising that whoever comes to him will never hunger and never thirst.
Molly Logan
God of mercy, you host an open table. You invite me to come and feast in the blessings of your righteousness. Help me to receive that gift of mercy. Help me to make room in my heart for others to celebrate your blessings alongside me. Amen.
We’re blessed to be a blessing.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)