the committee

      When it comes to forgiving somebody, the members of the committee inside you usually have a lot of different opinions. The loudest one is angry and likes to rehash the awful things the person has done to you. Another committee member talks a lot about how much the person has hurt you and keeps warning you not to let that happen again. But it’s important to also listen to the quieter members of the committee – the kind one (who can still see good in the person) and the honest one (who remembers that you’re not perfect either) and the practical one (who says that it doesn’t make sense to keep carrying this weight around every day) and the artist (who can imagine the fresh air you’ll be breathing after you forgive) and the reassuring one (who reminds you that Rome wasn’t built in a day). If you do a good job chairing the committee, you’ll probably make a good decision.

“[J]ust as I forgive _____ who trespasses against me.” From Matthew 6:12

in distress

      It’s interesting to watch what you do when you’re in distress. There are a lot of options (like turning toward God or heading for the fridge or having a drink or getting mad at somebody or getting busy). Some are better than others.

When I was in distress, I ___________________.

“When I was in distress, I sought the Lord.” Psalm 77:2

a world of difference

      There’s a world of difference between really listening to somebody and just keeping quiet until it’s your turn to talk.

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” Stephen Covey

“He awakens my ear to listen. . . .” Isaiah 50:4

help-helps

      I know a very little boy who never misses a siren. Whenever he hears a help-help, he runs to the window to see. Sometimes, on very special days, he gets to visit the help-help station. He stands and stares in awe and wonder at the fire trucks and the huge men who drive them.

      This morning, without going anywhere, I visited my own help-helps -- all the people who have stuck with me through thick and thin. I stood and stared in awe and wonder.

“You may not remember the time you let me go first. Or the time you dropped back to tell me it wasn't that far to go. Or the time you waited at the crossroads for me to catch up. You may not remember any of those, but I do and this is what I have to say to you: Today, no matter what it takes,mwe ride home together.” Brian Andreas

“If one falls down, the other can help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:10

from the inside out

      When you’ve tried really hard for a really long time to be good on your own steam, letting God do it instead (from the inside out) feels as light and fresh and surprising as daybreak.  

“Let him easter in us, be a dayspring to the dimness of us. . . .” Gerard Manley Hopkins (dayspring: daybreak; the first appearance of light)

“God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself giving you the desire and the energy. . . .” Philippians 2:13

like a river

      When you’re used to keeping a tight grip on things, it’s hard to describe the relief of learning to let life flow.

“[A]llow our lives and the lives of those we love to flow day by day with God’s ease, balance and grace.” Al-anon literature

“[P]eace like a river. . . .” Isaiah 66:12