More Than a Subaru 4/17/2014

⁴ Blessed is the man who makes
    the Lord his trust,
Psalm 40:4 (ESV) 

Every morning compose your soul for a tranquil day, and all through it be careful often to recall your resolution, and bring yourself back to it, so to say. If something discomposes you, do not be upset, or troubled; but having discovered the fact, humble yourself gently before God, and try to bring your mind into a quiet attitude. Say to yourself, "Well, I have made a false step; now I must go more carefully and watchfully." Do this each time, however frequently you fall. When you are at peace use it profitably, making constant acts of meekness, and seeking to be calm even in the most trifling things. Above all, do not be discouraged; be patient; wait; strive to attain a calm, gentle spirit.

--St. Francis De Sales

 When I first read today's verse, I had thoughts of composing a treatise on "blessed".  What does it mean to be blessed?  What are other scriptures that address this concept?  Then I read De Sales paragraph and realized that "blessed" will take on a different form for different people at different times.

Blessed might be a financial windfall when the car breaks down.  A new job offer might be the blessing.  Blessed might be the recovery from an illness.

What specifically spoke to me about the De Sales passage was how it draws attention to the fact that being blessed might be something as simple (but as necessary) as having a tranquil soul. Inner-peace is a blessing that I don't consider often when counting my blessings.  Perhaps it is because I so often allow life to disrupt that peace and tranquility.  I tend to consider blessings as material- a mechanically sound car; economic- a good job; physical- good health; or spiritual- eternal life.  While all these things are certainly part of God's blessing, inner-peace was not something I had included until this morning.

God wants to bless His children with all good things.  Why is it I accept His material, economic, physical, and spiritual blessings, but consistently allow the blessing of a peaceful spirit and mind to be hijacked by the events of the day?

Peace is a blessing and one that I am going to make a conscious effort to claim.