I find myself tempted at times to counsel God on how I want Him to answer my prayers. For instance, I pray that He would heal the arthritis in my back so I can sleep. Now He could heal me simply by taking me home to Heaven, but that is not what I have in mind. Still, I am glad His answers are wiser than my request. I am learning that I can trust that He knows what is best.
“…your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 7/1/
My wife and I rarely talk about uneventful days. It is not the days when things go as planned that make a good story, but when things take an unexpected twist that are memorable. Just about every good adventure has a dragon to be slain. When the unexpected happens, dress for the adventure coming with it.
“Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” Ex.1.8 Conversations Within ts 6/29/
People tend to remember the bad rather than the good. I suppose it takes practice to change this. Nurturing an attitude of thankfulness can work this change. It is a blessed person who chooses to see the world with grateful eyes. The next time I am tempted to think bad of something or someone, let me respond by offering thanks for at least one thing about it all.
“Remember the wondrous works that he has done...”
One bit of wisdom that Jesus has passed to us is that life is not, “I” or “me,” but “we” and “us.” Life is community. It is wonderful to know one’s place in the world, and every single one of us need, and belong to one another.
“Our Father in Heaven…” Jesus Conversations Within ts
Humility is a gracious attitude, one that responds to others with patient grace. It fine tunes our focus away from our own feelings toward how others are feeling. Imagine someone dying or in a hospital bed, who is more concerned about those standing around them than they are for themselves. How liberating to have such a heart.
“For I am
My wife wears a tee-shirt that reads, “Be Authentic.” It is easy to pretend that we are something we are not. That is bad enough, but what is really harmful is when we settle for pretending, and adopt it as the norm. Stop pretending, and become. Be honest with yourself. Be honest with God. Be authentic!
“One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth” Pro.13.7 Conversations Within ts 6/24/
