Blessed Are the Meek

The first verse I learned by heart is Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (KJV). But this verse bothered me my whole life.

What did it mean to be meek? I did not know anyone I could describe as meek, as a real-life example. That is, until very recently.

At the end of last year, I received a devotional book in the mail. I did not order it, so I wondered how I had come to receive it. At the school where I work, the teachers sometimes receive books as gifts. I thought it might be a gift from the school.

But when I asked other teachers, they had not received the book. I mentioned it to my good friend, who was as puzzled as I was until a few weeks later when she excitedly enlightened me. “You received this book because your story is published in it!” She continued, “I was checking the authors who are all listed at the back and found your name. Apparently the publisher sends a copy of the book to all the authors, and since you’re an author, they sent it to you.” When I opened the book to the back page, sure enough, I saw my name listed. I felt ecstatic. I opened to the story and showed my husband, my colleagues, and my children, and excitedly announced, “I have a story published in this book!” I was so proud of myself and this wonderful accomplishment. It was the first time in my life that I had my story and my name published in a book. So, so exciting! Then I thought of the friend who had shown it to me.

She was the one who helped me write and submit the story in the first place. Two of her stories were published in the same book.

Not only that, but she has already published several books, one containing more than fifty stories and another one that is currently with the publisher.

Yet she never brags about it. She is not proud, haughty, or full of herself. Rather, she is down-to-earth, humble, and so helpful. She is my best friend.

At that moment I realized that I now knew what it meant to be meek, for I had seen a living example. Thank You, Jesus, for Your meekness and for giving me a living example of what it means.

Durdica Kukolja