As I begin to wake up this morning, I reflect on the day before.  Every single day I am convicted of doing the very things that I hate.  I ate too much.  I thought thoughts that I wish I would not think.  I was selfish with my time.  I could have been a better pastor, mother, wife, and daughter.  I have regrets of things I have said and done. Each day, I hope for a better day. Each day as I get out of bed, I often feel weighed down with responsibilities.

In Matthew 5:1-12, Jesus had just returned from the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil. It was time now to begin his ministry. He chose his disciples and already people were beginning to follow him, listening to his proclamation that the “Kingdom of Heaven has come near.” As Jesus climbs to the top of a mountain and with the disciples and his people gathered around, he begins to preach to them his most famous sermon, known as, “The Sermon on the Mount.”  And, what does Jesus do?  He doesn’t condemn them, but he blesses them!  He gives them a blessing of hope.

Here is the thing…when we feel hurt, sad, upset, or hate the world because of the way people treat each other, Jesus gives us blessings.  Those feelings of discontent, guilt, and conviction are a result of the Holy Spirit working in you.   I believe that to have the desire to hope for a better tomorrow – to share our gifts of time and talent with the church and the world, to be better in our jobs, and to treat others with respect and love, is the Holy Spirit in us.  Jesus never promised us that to be a Christian would not be painful and uncomfortable!

Receive God’s blessings for you today.  Wake up each morning with the love of Christ covering you with His grace and mercy.  It’s what will get you through the day!

Let us pray, Gracious God, none of us enjoy the discomfort of life’s wrongdoings.  But, with you, we can know that you bless us and want to draw us closer to you with your love and forgiveness.  We give you thanks for the grace and mercy that you give us to get through our day.  Amen.