By Jerry Donovan, First United Methodist Church —
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”- Matthew 5:3 (NRSV)
This morning I read the following devotional the publication, The Upper Room:
“I had just completed several frustrating trips around the hospital parking lot looking for a space when I saw a man heading for his car. I positioned myself to move into his slot, which I, of course, considered mine. Suddenly a young woman quickly and expertly maneuvered her car around several parked cars and into the slot I was waiting for. The woman hastily exited her car, flashed me a smile, and moved off rapidly toward the hospital. I don't know what she meant to communicate with her smile, but I gave it a very negative interpretation as I sat there doing a slow burn. Later, in my quiet time with the Lord, I realized my reaction should have been much kinder. Perhaps the woman was in the midst of a life emergency, and her smile was an appeal for me to understand or to forgive her.
Whatever the situation, I realized I needed to respond in a way that was pleasing to the Lord. Jesus, with infinite wisdom, gave us the guidelines and directions in the Beatitudes that would help us to live humbly and be more like him. And in 1 Peter 5:5 we read, “All of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'”
No matter how chilled we become, God's love can warm our spirits.”
