A New Thing

As I mention in an earlier post, I am often tempted to recount the dramatic and amazing things God had done for me in the past, the dreams, premonitions, and visions. Those powerful events have tapered off, replaced by more subtle interactions. I’ve wondered why.

Our Daily Bread meditation for March 13 gave me some insight into the change.

God wants us to recall the former, but He doesn’t want it overshadowing his current involvement in our lives. “See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a new way in the wilderness.” Isaiah 43:19.

My faith is stronger, deeper, and God no longer needs to orchestrate the theatrical to get my attention or bolster my beliefs.

The same can be said of prior pleasures, mistakes, or pain, remembered on occasion, but not relived. 

Today is a new day. God is doing new things.

Dear Lord, thank you for your divine intercessions, the subtle and the not so subtle. They draw me closer to you. Amen.

Wishing My Life Away

When I was still in school, I would start whining about mid-March, loudly wishing it were June and summer vacation. After one of my more long winded sessions, my dad put down his paper and looked at me.

"Marie, life passes quickly enough, don't wish it away."

I didn't understand what he meant at the time, but as I am now past my middle years and stepping into my senior ones, I can, and do, appreciate his wisdom. Yet, I still seem to always be wishing for something: the weekend, vacation, or the golden years of retirement. I believe I will be happier when those moments finally arrive, but will that be true?

I've had hard weekends that made work look easy, vacations from hell, and retirement has a whole slew of other challenges. Is right now so bad I need to wish it away? Better I fill up on today, this moment, this hour. It is a gift, this Present.

Thank You, Lord for this inspiration as I am already wishing the day to be half over, the surprise overtime done and over with, and my short weekend already beginning.  Only with Your strength can I live now - in this moment - looking for ways to serve You rather than feed my self-indulgences. It is true, those who serve find more happiness and contentment than those who only take. Lord, I ask you this day to give me a serving heart, to seek Your will over mine. Amen.