Pausing between hearing somebody’s words and answering them could be the hardest and most fruitful thing you do today.
Pausing: coming to a temporary halt; catching one’s breath
“[B]e . . . slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19
the joy of thank-you
On a fat-headed day, nothing looks like a gift so you miss all the joy of thank-you.
“What do you have that you did not receive [as a gift]? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you didn’t?” 1 Corinthians 4:7
“The fundamental manifestation of pride is ingratitude.” Anthony Esolen
God With Me
When you hear an impossible and astonishing story over and over again, it’s easy to live as if it weren’t.
“A virgin will be with child and bear a son and call him Immanuel, which means God With Us.” Isaiah 7:14 (from approximately 750 BC)
You are God With Me today. Please don’t let me live as if You were God Far Away.
amazed or ho-hum
If somebody told you what would happen in the future and it did, would you be amazed or ho-hum?
“Bethlehem . . . out of you will come . . . one who will be Ruler . . . whose origins are . . . from days of eternity.” Micah 5:2 (from 750 BC)
“Caesar Augustus ordered a census. . . . Joseph traveled to . . . Bethlehem . . . to register with Mary . . . who was with child.” Luke 2:1, 4-5
pause to wonder
Father, open the eyes of my heart today. Enliven me. Give me the gift of wonder.
“For a Child will be born . . . and He will be called . . . the mighty God. . . .” Isaiah 9:6
“He . . . who can no longer pause to wonder and stand in rapt awe is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.” Albert Einstein
a healing God
When you live in a heart-breaking world, you desperately need a healing God.
“The Lord . . . heals the brokenhearted and binds up the wounds of their grief.” Psalm 147:3
“Take me, soothe me, refresh me, make me over again.” George Macdonald