Daily Meditations
Work is not always required….there is such a thing as sacred idleness, the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected. George Macdonald
We have to take time to be still. Too often busy-ness keeps us moving all the time. Only in stillness can we hear the things God wants to whisper to us. Take the time for stillness and quiet so you can hear God.
When it is dark enough, you can see the stars. Charles A. Beard
This quote reminds me of one from my journal of saved quotes.
Now that my house has burned down I can see the moon more clearly. From the movie Hiroshima
Both of these quotes remind us that light penetrates darkness. In the worst of times there is hope.
a very present[a] help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
God is present. He is always with us. We can take refuge in Him. We have nothing to fear no matter what happens. Don’t be afraid but depend on God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
Sometimes trusting God is not easy. Sometimes things seem so bad that we think that God has deserted us. Sometimes we just want to fix things ourselves.
All of these are times when we have to pray fervently, listen and wait for God. God is with us through everything. He never leaves us. We are the ones who leave. Turn back to God.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
My father always told me to not respond in anger to someone who is angry. Good advice but not so easy to follow. When someone is yelling at me about something it is very hard to keep my cool. I can feel my heart racing and my mind gearing up for battle. I’m ready to yell back. Yet very little is solved in anger. Most problems are resolved when everyone calms down.
Prayer: Gentle Jesus, help us to think of you and respond lovingly to someone who is angry. Amen
Day by day the darkness advances but soon, very soon the light will return. Christ will come and the light will return.
We are waiting. Most of the time we don’t wait patiently. We want things to happen now! We are poor examples of your love but we know there is better to come. We have to wait for the goodness that on the way. Spend the time in advent looking forward to the birth of Christ. A blessed baby sent to redeem us and show us how to live each day.
Amazing God, you knew we didn’t understand you and so you sent your son. Thank you. AMEN
Advent is here and the theme of the thoughts for this season.
We are not good a waiting. Really, that is an understatement. We have a society of instant gratification. We want it and we want it now! When I worked for a group of pediatricians one of them said people expected a drive-by window where he would reach out and putting hands on the child say “heal.”
Advent is a time of waiting….waiting for the greatest gift mankind has ever had. Waiting for a baby. Expecting.
We must appreciate this time and use it. It is a time to ready ourselves for the gift!
Loving God, we wait. Help us to curb our impatience and use this time to think about the gift to come. AMEN
