In 21^st century American culture we have a particular idea of what it means to be blessed.  Some may think of it in terms of good health, prosperity, power, and privilege.  Blessed are those who are rich, healthy, and beautiful.  Others of us may think of it more in terms of relationships.  We have a good marriage, healthy and functioning kids, or maybe even a great group of friends or community of faith.  Blessed are those who have a picturesque home, social, and faith life.  This may be our view of what it means to be blessed, but it was not Jesus’ view.  Actually, his view of what it means to be blessed flips the world upside down.  Of those that he calls blessed, he said “blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.”

In Jesus’ day, the process of mourning was a weeklong event.  The mourners tore their clothes, poured dust over their heads, and lamented with their family and friends.  They sat with their grief for 7 days.  Even today some parts of the Jewish community continue this practice.  In our current environment, we may take 3 days off work and then we are back to being busy.  I think there is something to be gained by sitting with our grief for an extended period of time.  It isn’t something to be rushed through or brushed aside in a couple of days. 

If we would learn to sit with our grief and mourn, we might discover a deeper sense of God’s presence.  The ancient and first century Jews did this and through it were reminded of all the ways that God continued to be with the people, especially during periods of mourning.  God wants us to also experience God’s abiding presence.  If you sit in mourning, you might also have time to reflect upon your brokenness and sin.  Confession is known to be cathartic and part of the healing process.  If you sit and mourn about what is happening in our world, you may discover areas where God can use you to effect change.  If you sit and mourn you also grant others the opportunity to minister to you and your family.  Whether it is prayers, a card, or a casserole, our period of mourning is an opportunity for others to be ministers of help and healing.  Lastly, if you sit and mourn this gives space for the Holy Spirit to work and be of comfort to your soul.  The key is the fact that we cannot rush through the mourning process.  Because if we do, we will miss out on the blessing of being comforted.

I invite you to take time and read each of the scriptures above followed by reflection on the questions below.  Reflect on the last time you mourned and your process of getting through it.  Lastly, I pray that God bless the reading of God’s Word and the meditations of your heart.

Questions to Consider this week:

• Monday:  How much time have you spent in mourning?  Is it a short period of time or do you allow yourself to sit with it for as long as it takes?
• Tuesday:  Who have you taken time to mourn with?  How did you feel through this process?
• Wednesday:  What is your understanding of the relationship between mourning and blessing?
• Thursday:  When have you felt “blessed” in the midst of your mourning?
• Friday:  How have you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in the midst of your mourning?
• Saturday:  In what ways do you and your friends “mourn” over the injustices of this world?

Actions for the Week:

• Head:  Reflect on the last time you mourned and your process of getting through it.
• Heart:  Consider the benefits of taking more time to mourn verses less time.
• Hand:  Take time to sit and mourn over the things that trouble you; expect God to meet you there.