Hey, thanks for joining us for today's reading from the Our Daily Bread Devotional.

It was written by Wyn Collier, and he called it Blessing in the Tears.

I received an email from a young man in England, a son who explained that his father,

only 63, was in the hospital in critical condition hanging on to life.

Though we had never met, his dad's work and mine shared many intersections.

The son, trying to cheer his father, asked me to send a video message

of encouragement and prayer. Deeply moved, I recorded a short message in a prayer for healing.

I was told that his dad watched the video and gave a hearty thumbs up.

Sadly, a couple days later, I received another email telling me that he had

died. He held his wife's hand as he took his final breath. My heart broke. Such love, such devastation.

The family lost a husband and father far too soon. Yet it's surprising to hear Jesus insist that it's precisely these grieving ones who are blessed.

Blessed are those who mourn, Jesus says in Matthew 5.4. Jesus isn't saying suffering and sorrow are good, but rather that God's mercy and

kindness pour over those who need it most. Those overcome by grief due to death or even their

own sinfulness are most in need of God's attention and consolation, and Jesus promises us

they will be comforted.

God steps toward us, his loved children.

He blesses us in our tears.

Our scripture reading today is taken from Matthew chapter 5, verses 1 through 12.

Now, when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,

and he began to teach them. He said, blessed are the poor and spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

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