Blessed.

How are you doing today? How are you? How are you feeling at this moment? These are all simple and familiar greetings that often follow a casual hello. I don’t know about you, but my responses often vary significantly depending on the mood of the day and what I have been experiencing. Some days, I might respond with enthusiasm, while other days, my reply could be more subdued followed by a thank you for asking.

Sometime ago, I found myself waiting at the checkout line of a Dollar Tree store, which we all know is actually $1.25! As I began my transaction, the cashier greeted me warmly with a cheerful "How are you today?" In typical fashion, I responded politely, saying, "I'm good, thank you, and how are you?" To my pleasant surprise, she looked me directly in the eyes and, with a bright smile that seemed to reflect her genuine spirit, replied, “I am Blessed!” What a beautiful response! It resonated with a sense of positivity that brightened my day. She did not allow herself to dwell on the mood of the day or focus on any negative circumstances unfolding around her. Instead, she chose to look above it all and discovered numerous blessings that surrounded her. If we genuinely desire for others to see Christ reflected in our lives, we should make it a priority to give the gift of blessings generously—be blessed, and let that radiate to those around us.

Growing up, it is a cherished tradition within our family to ask your elders for a blessing, known as “Bendicion.” The typical response we hear, infused with warmth and sincerity, is always, “Dios te bendiga!” which translates to “God bless you.” These exchanges, which have become so ingrained in our daily lives, often overlooked and underestimated, despite their great importance and the strong bond they create between us. If we take the time to look around us, I am sure there are countless things and various people that we feel truly blessed to have in our lives, for God has generously given us many gifts and continues to be gracious to us each day. Why not take a moment to share with others the wonderful greatness of our God? There is so much to appreciate and celebrate about His divine nature and the blessings He provides in our lives.

So, How are you today? As for me, I am BLESSED! Thanks for asking.

Keep at it! Keep praying. Love the Lord.

Peace and Grace.