Now I’ve never been to seminary, but I’ve laid at my human’s feet long enough to hear Him read from Matthew 5.
He calls it the Beatitudes.
I call it the Blessed List.
Most of what Jesus says is blessed sure doesn’t sound like it to me.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
That doesn’t sound like the top dog in the yard.
That sounds like the pup who knows he’s not the alpha.
The one who rolls over and shows his belly.
The one who knows he needs his human for every meal, every scratch behind the ears, every safe place to sleep.
That kind of poor.
Jesus says they’re blessed.
“Blessed are those who mourn.”
Now I’ve howled a time or two.
When storms roll in.
When somebody leaves.
When the house feels different. Mourning doesn’t feel like a blessing.
But Jesus says there’s comfort coming.
And I’ve learned this much — when I’m hurting, I don’t run away from my human.
I run toward him.
And he doesn’t push me off the porch.
He pulls me closer.
“Blessed are the meek.”
Now meek isn’t weak.
Meek is strength under control.
It’s knowing I could bark, but I don’t.
Knowing I could snap, but I won’t.
Trusting my human to handle what I don’t understand.
Jesus says the meek inherit the earth.
Seems to me the dogs who stay close to the Shepherd end up with the best pasture.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
You ever seen a hungry dog?
We don’t nibble.
We don’t negotiate.
We don’t casually consider supper.
We want it.
All of it.
Jesus says if we hunger for what’s right like that — really crave it — we’ll be filled.
Not with scraps.
Filled.
“Blessed are the merciful… the pure in heart… the peacemakers…”
I’ve seen peacemakers in a house full of growling.
They don’t add to the noise.
They settle it.
I’ve seen mercy in hands that should’ve swatted but instead chose to pet.
I’ve seen pure-hearted folks who don’t pretend.
What you see is what you get.
Jesus says they’re blessed.
Now here’s the part that makes my ears perk up.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.”
You mean when folks don’t understand you?
When you get left out?
When doing right costs you something?
Blessed.
That’s upside-down thinking.
But then again, the Kingdom doesn’t look like the dog park.
It looks like the Cross.
From where I lay, blessed isn’t about bigger bowls or softer beds.
It’s about closeness.
It’s about belonging.
It’s about knowing whose voice you answer to when He calls your name.
The world says blessed is strong, loud, admired, envied.
Jesus says blessed is humble, hungry, merciful, pure, and faithful even when it’s hard.
I may just be an old dog, but I’ve figured this out:
The real blessing isn’t what’s in the yard.
It’s Who’s on the porch with you.
And if you’re sittin’ close to the Master — leaning into Him, listening for His voice — you’re more blessed than you know.
Now that’ll preach.
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
