A friend of mine once blogged about the Beatitudes, thus inspiring me to want to memorize them....and I didn't, but now I am....here they are in The Message version...

"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You're blessed when you're content with just who you are-no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
You're blessed when you care. At the moment of 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
You're blessed when you get your inside world-your mind and heart-put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom."
Matthew 5:3-10 (The Message)
(PICTURE: Me and a pretty horse I rode at Silver Birch Ranch; Winter 2009)