Several weeks have passed and I have not moved forward with Moments. As I sit in a hotel room in New Jersey looking out at the highway and airport runway, I wonder where everyone is headed. Is it work, school, vacation or other motivation that has them up early and on the road? Nature is in no hurry. The breeze is gently blowing the leaves of the trees in the field. A couple of deer wander along the edge eating their morning breakfast unbothered by the rush of the city around them. A cat lounges in the sun giving itself a morning bath. I am reminded by these creatures to stop and start my day reflecting on what God has provided me. Don’t rush out the door forgetting all the benefits he bestowed upon me; my wonderful wife, my children and grandchild and the earthly list could go on and on. The heavenly list needs to be recalled as well. Paul said in Romans 5:6 – 7:
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows his love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Remembering these words compels me to start this day differently, praying that I can recall these thoughts everyday going forward. Moses, in teaching Israel to remember, said:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
This I need to do. Daily I forget, daily I sin, daily I need the God who Loves me and forgives me. I encourage you, and myself, to begin each day repeating Moses’ words and praying the Lord’s prayer or for a change, Luther’s morning prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Chris, Your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
May God bless this day and all days going forward.
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