like a grieving mother

      When you start to see how wounded you really are, you start to see how God really feels about you.

“God, in [His] compassion, enters like a grieving mother into conversation with those who know themselves as wounded. . . .” Belden Lane

“In all their trouble and distress, He was troubled and distressed. . . . [I]n His compassion, He . . . carried them. . . .” Isaiah 63:9

other goals

      If your main goal today were to love more, all your other goals would probably either wander away or fall into their proper places.

“The true proficiency of the soul consists not so much in deep thinking or eloquent speaking . . . as in much and warm loving.” Teresa of Avila

“The commandment we have from Him is this: that the one who loves God love his brother, too.” 1 John 4:21

day by day

      People who are content rain or shine, in good times and bad, get that way choice by choice, day by day.

“Begin with thanking Him for some little thing, and then go on, day by day, adding to your subjects of [thanksgiving]; thus . . . will your subjects of murmuring and complaining diminish, until you see in everything some cause for thanksgiving.” Priscilla Maurice

“I have learned to be content whatever my circumstances. . . .” Philippians 4:11

for the least

      I have a friend who takes care of her mother (who doesn’t know her anymore) in every possible way, day in and day out. Her mother never remembers, and God never forgets.

“The King will say . . . , ‘I was hungry, and you gave Me food. I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink. . . . [W]hatever you did for the least . . . , you did for Me.’” Matthew 25:34-35, 40

“I receive Christ in you, and so I must do everything possible to serve you with love.” From one of the desert fathers

 

 

in the midst

      Every choice to give thanks in the midst of hard circumstances is a step in the right direction -- from the illusion of being in control to the reality of being carried.

“In everything give thanks. . . .” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“This doesn't necessarily mean [giving] thanks for the actual circumstances . . . , but in the midst of the circumstances to offer Him thanks -- thanks that He is in control, that He never sleeps, that His motives are pure toward me. . . .” Barbara Brand 

small choices

      A lot of small choices get you into the habit of worrying. You get out of the habit the same way.

Father, every time I am pulled toward worry today, give me the humility to choose confidence in You instead. Tonight I will savor all the small choices and celebrate.

“[C]onfidence in God. . . .” Psalm 78:7