Blessed
Matthew 5:1-10 Feast of George Herbert, Priest 1633
Usually “blessed” is synonymous with “thankful.” To receive God’s blessing is indeed a cause for thankfulness, but to be blessed or feel blessed is a much richer, broader experience. Blessings come in a variety of forms, most often we think of those as events or actions which cause us joy or happiness. However, there are moments in our lives when blessings happen because of pain, tragedy, and loss. The blessings of God are there too, if we look for them. This is beautifully said in the prayer, “A General Thanksgiving” in the Book of Common Prayer, page 836: “We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone;” even this is a form of blessing. How are you blessed by God in joyful moments? Now take a moment to think about the times in your life when you have experienced or felt disappointment, pain, or loss…notice where, even in those moments, you were being blessed by God; and be thankful.
With God’s Peace and Blessings,
The Daily Cup 
I converted at four years of age in a family of atheists so I suppose it was a miracle.