Welcome to the Kingdom

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) Even God understands that there are times when we hurt, and he not only values the pain when we suffer but blesses us with grace and welcomes us into his kingdom.
We must rejoice for the light that waits before us. Find joy in the virtues that will come to us and know that through the suffering we will become the person we are meant to be. Find value in our pain and grow to serve the Lord.
These are the lessons that help me when I struggle. These are the prayers that help me to find the value in the darkness. I often wonder how could a merciful God put pain in a world as we have in ours? I realize then that perhaps it is not God that has put the pain in our world but rather us that has put the pain here. It is God that offers us the salvation from this pain. It is ours to learn and grow from it.
I once read a book on the Crusades and thought how could we call them the Holy Wars. I realize that it is our way to attribute labels to rationalize the acts we commit and the things we do not understand. It is only when we stop trying to understand and trust in God to lead us through the darkness and help us find forgiveness and mercy that we can find the answers.
One of the darkest periods of my life was not my car accident but shortly after when I struggled with my identity. I was very good at pushing away those I loved in my life. I fought to figure out just who I was and where my life was going. I asked many difficult questions and thought I could do it all alone. As I came to accept that I needed the help, support and love of God and others in my life, the answers became clear. The shape of my life molded me into a person I came to not only love but value and cherish. Truly blessed was I while I was poor in my spirit.
I encourage all of you to remember this prayer and to remember that the Lord walks with you as you travel through your valley. Hold strong and seek out the opportunities available from the pain you experience so that you might find the light at the end of the tunnel. Trust in God to welcome you to his kingdom.
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