It used to be different....

You know how it is... your mom repeated the same verse to you over and over while you were growing up and you just didn't get it. I know my mom, she realized one day it would sink in, right at the moment when we needed that wisdom the most... boy was she ever right! The last few weeks, I have had the same line on my heart, "Blessed are the peacemakers."
I was all ready to grab that one and run with it, "hehe," thought my prideful heart, "this one will be easy".
NOT! See it used to be different. Those used to be "words" and nothing more.

God has challenged me to really grasp the meaning of the words of Jesus from the "Sermon on the Mount" that day.... I decided (FINALLY) to sit down and spend some time in the Word- in order to get the rest of this message that has been turning over and over again in my brain.

I looked the passage up in the message bible. I know it's not the NIV or King James version, but sometimes the message just gives me the "spiritual spanking" of a lifetime.... it didn't let me off easy tonight either, let me tell ya!

Here's what it says: Matthew 5:3-12 (the message)

3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

I'm so thankful the Lord doesn't give up on my stubborn self. I'm thankful for the trials, the heartaches, the lies, the stealing and even the cheating- all these things led me closer to my God.