I wish I would have known when I was younger several things I now realize:
- Praying daily at a set time for a set number of minutes is a wonderful discipline, but it doesn’t compare to communing with God throughout the entire day.
- Something heart-changing happens when I read the Bible. I can’t explain it, and even if I’m slugging through Leviticus, I still close that book knowing I am nearer to the One who orchestrated its writings than I was when I first opened its pages.
- Everyone I meet is an encounter with Jesus. This past week, I drove by a young, emaciated woman. Convicted by her desperate state, I did a U-turn and drove up next to her. Holding out some pesos for her, I was stunned by how she stared at me through hollow eyes that barely opened; she had no idea what I was trying to give her. When her mood switched from confused to angry, my idea of taking her back to our condo to offer her a shower and a meal suddenly seemed like a less-than-brilliant plan. She took the money, but as I pulled away, I couldn’t help but ask what Jesus would have done.
- My example is far more important than my words. Showing people I love them trumps any language I use to express that love.
- God cares about details. He is every “coincidence” in my life. When I forget my umbrella and return to the house only to find I left the oven on, I now credit Him with the reminder that even my forgetfulness can be used for my benefit.
- The fact that I am breathing and my fingers are able to type this article are all because of God’s provisions.
- I never should take my husband or my children or my friends for granted, and I never should stop being open to meeting new friends.
- Disciplining a grandchild might be my least favorite thing to do in the whole world.
- Life is not fair, and I’m grateful it’s not.
- My aches and pains remind me that this is a fallen world, and sometimes—not often– Ibuprofen can be my friend.
- Sweaty, manual labor is a really, really good thing.
- When Dave says “I love you,” I am blessed.
- No matter what anyone says, there’s no magic formula to make wrinkles disappear. I’m sort of glad about that.
- It’s okay if I like crab and my best friend gags on it. Best friends celebrate their differences.
- Some days, I just look up and say, “Thank you, God, for making that happen.”
I need to do it every day…probably every hour.