Month: September 2020

Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things we are asked to do.  True forgiveness, releasing the thing that we have held, pushes us and our faith.  We learn forgiveness early on in our lives.  We are taught to say ‘I’m sorry’ and to move forward.  As we grow up, we learn that not forgiving becomes like a disease that eats slowly away at our peace and our joy.  So we learn what it means to forgive others and do the best we can with it.  

What I think is even more difficult is to learn to forgive ourselves.  We know our mistakes.  We know the things we have done – even if no one else does.  We know our intentions.  We know our own heart.  We know our past.  And it seems our past can haunt us at the worst times.  Our insecurities creep up and consume us when we aren’t even looking.  We can’t seem to escape our past so we don’t understand the importance of forgiving ourselves.  Yet, it is one of the most freeing and loving things we can do.

God reminds us that he forgives us.  He tells us that he does not hold our past against us.  We are forgiven by an Almighty God that knows all our bad stuff.  He knows our anger. He knows the things we hold inside.  He gets that we should have done things we didn’t.  He understands that we didn’t do something we should.  And yet, he loves us anyway.  He is the provider of mercy and grace.  He is the greatest One to forgive.  We can release those things which are hurting us.  We can begin to forgive ourselves of those things which are holding us back and causing us harm.  We can know that the past is just that – the past.  We have a bright future ahead.  We have more opportunities to love and be kind and do the right thing.  We have so much ahead – and it all begins with forgiveness – from God and for ourselves.  If God has forgiven us, why are we holding those things inside.  Today is the day to release – be set free – and move forward in God’s love, mercy and grace.  

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 103:8-12

⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
¹⁰ He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far he removes our transgressions from us.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

To hear someone is to offer your time and attention.  To really listen takes effort.  It takes concentration and focus on what is being said.  It is often more about what is left unsaid that speaks the loudest.  We can hear fear in someone’s voice even when words of courage are spoken.  We can hear hurt come through even when all seems to be okay.  To hear someone is a gift we do not offer often enough.  Yet, it is one of the greatest gifts we could present to another person.  So many times, anger and hurt and fear come out in different ways because people feel unheard.  

Today, I challenge you to offer someone this gift.  It doesn’t cost you anything except your time and your attention.  I do understand time is precious.  But this will be worth it.  Offer someone the gift of hearing them.  Listen to what they tell you.  It may be a really general conversation, but give them your undivided attention.  That means putting down the phones.  It means turning off all the distractions.  It also means listening without thinking of how you will respond.  Sometimes we listen to just enough so we can tell our story.  We don’t let the other person finish before we want to tell them what happened to us.  We listen just to interject what we think they should do or how we feel about the situation.  This is not listening.  Today, simply listen.  No response is needed – and actually no response is preferred.  This is not about us.  We are not there to fix or solve or change anything.  We are simply there to offer the gift of hearing someone else.

You may find this challenging – but give it a chance.  It may feel uncomfortable because we don’t always want to hear what someone else is offering.  It can feel restrictive because we have so much to say.  But giving someone the gift of listening can be one of the most powerful things we can do today.  We all want to be heard.  Today may be the day to simply listen.

Focus Scripture:

Matthew 13:16

¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

Our local coffee shop has a theme that really speaks volumes:  “Do Good Things”.  I love it.  It is simple yet so powerful.  Kristen, the owner, lives it out as well.  Her bright smile and kind personality bring life to the statement.  I think it goes without saying that great coffee helps me to do good things.  If I have enough coffee, maybe even great things happen.  The cookies and desserts don’t hurt either. 

Could doing good things be our theme?  What if this was a part of our lives?  What if we took ownership to do good things?  What would it look like if we made a commitment to do good today?  There might be more smiles.  There may be more kind words.  There may be more of an effort to encourage.  I think equally important is there may be less hatefulness.  There might be less rudeness or slander or gossip.  If we are going to do more good things, that would mean we do less bad things.  Doing good things leads to good experiences with good people.  Good people following a good God can do exceedingly abundantly more than we could think or imagine.  And it all begins with doing good things. 

You have the ability to do good today.  I’m going to make it my mission to do good things.  How about you?  Thank you, Gypsy Bean Coffee Shop for encouraging me to do good things.

Focus Scripture:

Hebrews 13:16

¹⁶ Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

Our days can be filled with joys and laughter, excitement and celebration.  They can also be filled with loss and difficulty, grief and tears.  Both are okay.  There are times for both.  There are moments that hold both.  There are also days of neither.  Those days of “hanging on” are part of life too.  We could be having just an okay day, one that is simply about making it through.  And that’s okay too.  There are gifts in each of these days.  We are not prisoners of despair.  We have been given a glimpse of promise.  

We can easily identify the gifts of a joyful day.  We physically feel the uplifting of laughter.  But there are times when tears cleanse.  There are days when grief is speaking to us in our darkness and reminding us of the light.  There are occasions when having a moment to just breathe is all we could ask or hope.  And those are gifts too.  

With all that goes on in our lives, it is difficult to be okay.  It can be challenging to find the time to simply be.  We can be pushed for the opportunity to enjoy what God has given us.  Some days, it is enough to simply be okay.  No fireworks or excitement needed.  No pep talks or dream catching required.  It is okay to simply be okay.  To live today, to take a deep breath, to feel God’s warmth and presence is more than enough.  To know that we are loved beyond measure is more than we can comprehend – but it means we can be okay.  To know that we are not alone in our battle is enough for today.  

If you struggle today, know that you are not alone.  You do not fight these battles alone.  God is with us.  He is holding us up even when we feel like collapsing.  He helps us to melt into his presence knowing that we are okay.  For today, okay is more than enough.  

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 42:1-3, 11

¹ As a deer longs for flowing streams,
    so my soul longs for you, O God.
² My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
    the face of God?
³ My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while people say to me continually,
    “Where is your God?”

¹¹ Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my help and my God.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery