Blessed are the college students

In brick buildings and behind computer screens

Those with a trust fund and those on financial aid

Those in their first year, those finishing a fifth, and all the spaces in-between
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the sports super-fans and those who don’t know the difference between a football and a baseball,
For they will both find a place here.

                                                     UKirk UTK

Blessed are the procrastinators and the planners,
For God willing the work will get done.

Blessed are the loud and boisterous and the calm and contemplative,
For they will all be heard.

Blessed are those who feel pressure to define a major before they’re ready, and those who see their calling clearly,
For they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who are overworked, overscheduled, and overwhelmed,
For they will find rest.

                                          UKirk Ole Miss

Blessed are those who feel lonely and isolated,
For they will be comforted by the living body of Christ.

Blessed are the survivors,
For their stories will be heard and believed.

Blessed are those who find affirmation in the Church and those who have been harmed by it,
For they will find peace.

Blessed are those whose truest identity is unwelcome in their family of origin
For they will be called children of God.

                                           UKirk Ole Miss

Blessed are those living with mental illness or instability
For they will see God, and a plan for moving forward.

Blessed are those in the age of imposter syndrome, feeling crushed by filters, feedback, and followers,
For they are created in the image of God.

Blessed are those who invite one another into this family of faith
And those who are brave enough to show up.

                                                              UKirk UTK

Blessed are the hopeful,
the hopeless,
the forgotten,
the found,
the closeted,
the open,
the meek,
the proud,
the courageous,
And the coping.

Blessed are those working to make the world a better place, and those who aren’t sure where to start.

Blessed are you in all times, in all places, exactly as you are
For yours is the kingdom of heaven.

Written by
Rev. Rachel Penmore; UKirk UTK                                    Rev. Allison Wehrung; UKirk Ole Miss
.