Blessings on the day

A recent correspondent’s letter titled “Not really persecuted” reflected clarity, honesty, intelligence and spunk. And likewise, I recall a time of taking offense with the phrase “Have a blessed day,” as though it were a tell-tale sign of “some over-baptized believers” peddling their brand of spirituality while, at the same time, having a hen party whining over some petty grievance.

Yet, over the years, I’ve come to see I would be a lesser person without announcements of blessings—from whoever. In other words, to “have a blessed day” is the opposite of having a cursed day.

A blessed day is a day guided by goodness. A blessed day gives one’s day meaning and purpose. A blessed day offers a glimpse, if not a prolonged sense, of oneness with the creator and sustainer of life.

Yet a blessed day may not necessarily be a happy day in getting everything one wants. In fact, a blessed day could be a day wrought with pain and paradox if there is a higher purpose in God’s unique ways of running the universe.

And for Christians (persecuted overtly or covertly or not at all) a blessed day points back to their baptism— momentarily going under the water to signify one’s transgressions are buried with Christ. Then, oddly enough, as one is uplifted from the waters, this underestimated sacred ritual signifies the savior’s overwhelming interest in one’s mind, body, and soul.

LINDA L. SCISSON

Little Rock