Happy are the Adaptable

My thoughts:

I have never heard the word, meek, as to being able to "bend or adapt to God and life." The author* of this devotion* has imagined it. I think more along the lines of meekness being a "contained strength." The person who carried the character of that strength would have to also have to be full of patience to be able to keep their frustrations "contained." And then I think of patience being listed as a fruit of the Spirit. The author goes on to say we would need to be "strong enough on the inside to adapt to the outside." The Bible said that if we could do that, we could inherit the earth.

The humorous side of me asks, "is that something I really want...to inherit the earth?" I have inherited land and property. At first, it seems very enticing and honorable...until taxes and repairs come to call. But then I realize the land is mine to make the most of. It is security and "home." It is something to pass to future generations. It is worthwhile.

This last year has been a test of my "bendability" to life. I lost a son, a brother, even my sweet four-legged companion, Boss. I still feel "broken" and not bendable, but maybe knowing that I can weather those storms because of my faith in God's goodness and Providence is truly a character trait of mine that I want to pass to generations to follow. That kind of "contained strength" can keep us going on this side of Heaven. In this lifetime, we all need that to survive and thrive.

• The author of The Beatitudes was Jesus in the book of Matthew

• The author of the devotional was Colleen Townsend Evans taken from my NIV Women's Devotional Bible 2 from Zondervan Publishing House

• A little about Colleen Townsend Evans: Colleen Townsend - Biography - IMDb