Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

Psalm 22:19-28 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

But you, O Lord, do not be far away!
O my help, come quickly to my aid!

Deliver my soul from the sword,
my life from the power of the dog!

Save me from the mouth of the lion!
From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me.

I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

For he did not despise or abhor
the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me,
but heard when I cried to him.

From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him.

The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the Lord.
May your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord;
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.

For dominion belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.

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Reflect

My youngest child recently graduated from High School. I used to tell her all the time that she was my favorite daughter. To which she would reply that she is my only daughter, which is true, but she is still my favorite.

I remember evenings after school when I would get home from work late, she would come over to me on the couch. She would say “Mom, I haven’t had my good words today.”
We had this tradition between her and me, if I was around in the morning before she left for school, I would tell her how awesome, beautiful, amazing, creative and funny she was. The response was always the same, she would roll her eyes at me and say I know Mom. Yet, if she didn’t hear those words every day, she would remind me in the evening. They were an important affirmation for her to know that no matter what her day was like, I thought she was pretty awesome and that she was loved.

When I read this Psalm today, I cannot help but think that sometimes God would like to hear how awesome we think He is too. The Psalmist asks for help and upon receiving it, or perhaps in anticipation of it, God is praised.

So, give God His words today. Tell Him how awesome, amazing, caring, gracious and creative He is. Praise God for the blessings you have and the ones coming your way.
Blessings on your journey!

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Pray

Creative and awe-inspiring God. How amazing you truly are. The colors of the sunrise, the song of the birds in the morning. The evening breeze with the chirping crickets and the croak of tree frogs. What mastery and wisdom I see, hear, smell and feel every day. Thank you for allowing me to witness your creation. To be a part of it, and to be one of Yours. In Jesus name, Amen.

Go with God!