Blessed are the Pure in Heart

"Blessed are the pure in heart. For they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

I admit, the morning I sat down to study these words, I was angry at God. My mom, 96 years young, had taken a fall leaving her body badly beaten. In my eyes, mom was pure in heart, servant to many, kind, generous, fun-loving but at this moment in time, she didn't appear to be "blessed."

My journal that morning testifies to my inner struggle spilling out to God.

Somewhere in the "why God" I relented to Him, praying that moms' heart would be found pure so that she could join Jesus in that perfect place of peace. The presence of the Lord. No more suffering. No more striving. No more confusion. Only peace. Peace that surpasses our understanding. Peace that flows from the throne of God. Pure. Uninhibited peace.

God didn't turn His back on me, but He understood the pain that I was in as I stood by my moms' broken body. Instead He gave me strength to walk out a road that I hadn't planned on taking.

It would be more than a week before I would pick up my pen and paper to process this journey. In retrospect, I realized that the pure in heart DO GET TO SEE GOD!

Her passing was beautiful. God's presence filled the room. His peace permeated the atmosphere. (Read my recent blog post called Blessed Homecoming)

Those who are pure in heart carry mercy. Their understanding of the things in this world allow them to carry forgiveness, when it seems impossible. They hunger and thirst for righteousness because their hearts know that is the only way to stand in strength. Their hearts offer repentance often so that they can stay in a right relationship with Jesus. They are humble and meek. They have found joy in the presence of the Lord.

We can see an accumulation in the Beatitudes that when we are aligned with each one, we are walking towards being one who is pure in heart.

And Jesus promises us that the pure in heart will see God.

Through my recent journey with my mom I can attest to the presence of Jesus throughout each hard pressing moment. And though I had lots of questions, my heart was in turmoil at times, He carried me through. Today I can confidently say that this Scripture has been fulfilled for my mom.

And God's presence has been with me. In these days, and still, I have moments when I can almost see a glimpse of Him, shining upon me, working upon my heart, making it pure. He fills me with hope and purpose. He fills me with peace.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

Dear Jesus, may I be found as one who is pure in heart. Thank you for your presence here on earth. Thank you for taking the hard and adding your blessings to it. Thank you for your promises which are ever true. You never leave us. You work all things together for your glory. And we know that the pure in heart shall see God's face. And THAT is enough for me today. May you continue to be glorified. May your name be blessed. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.