Comforted – Blessed are those that mourn… Continuing on our Lenten journey

Comforted – Like our favorite cozy blanket wrapped around us on a cold winter’s night, (or the warmth of the sun on our face) Jesus is always there to comfort us.  How can we better recognize the comfort He is offering us this Lent?  What I didn’t understand before writing this was why would we be blessed because we mourn?  Upon doing some research, my ears were open to hear Jesus’ words more clearly and understand what He desires for you and me.   By adding one word to His prayer changed everything for me.  “Blessed are those that mourn for their sins, for they shall be comforted.”  When we take the time to share our imperfections with Him, especially during Lent, it clears the path for Jesus to embrace us – to comfort us.   The Spirit comforts those who are honest about their own sin and humble enough to ask for forgiveness and healing.  My other thought is how often we take the many comforts (his blessings) we experience every day for granted.  We focus on our own needs to have more and forget about those to whom we should extend comfort.  Picture in your mind Jesus smiling every time during this Lent that we change our focus from our own comfort each day to extending comfort to someone else in need.  Keep a list at the end of your day to remind yourself how many lives you were able to touch during Lent (and hopefully continue).  It may be a handwritten note (or an email), a phone call, a visit to someone in need, picking up groceries for a friend, or just taking time to listen with empathy.  So, let’s be blessed by being truly sorrowful for our sins, and also do random acts of love by offering comfort to those we encounter every day.  Being a follower of Christ doesn’t mean we only focus on our own comfort! I would love to hear your thoughts on how you feel your journey is going this Lent.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4