It is Monday afternoon, and the rain falls with a steady, insistent grace, turning the world outside a shade darker, cooler, almost contemplative. As I begin to wrap up my day, a day full of busyness, meetings, and the relentless pursuit of information. I am reminded that even the most carefully laid plans may be interrupted. The water purifier, that humble servant of modern comfort, has chosen to fail me today. And still, no water. Yet, in these inconveniences, there is a certain poetry.
This morning commenced with a delightful meeting with my daughter, a conversation full of plans and hope. Later, tasks awaited me, each one demanding attention, and yet the electricity, that most ordinary of blessings, refused to grace our home until well after 9:30. One cannot help but wonder what tomorrow shall bring, given the relentless rain.
But it is when one turns from the petty frustrations of water and electricity that the mind may wander to loftier matters, the Word of God, ever the lamp to our feet. I am reminded that it is all too easy to dream grandly and yet act sparingly; to speak boldly and yet do nothing to bring life to those words. And, oh, how often my own tongue betrays me, spilling harshness when anger or hurt comes unbidden, as though bitterness were a river impossible to dam.
Ephesians 4:31 whispers to me gently, yet firmly: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” Truly, I see that I have spoken harshly to myself and to others, and I long to cultivate a gentler, more noble character. I desire to be renewed; mind, heart, and soul alike by the Spirit, to become a more pleasing fragrance to the Lord, a light in a world all too eager to shadow itself in doubt and despair.
Philippians 2:14-15 beckons with its call: “Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Oh, where, I wonder, am I truly shining? And yet, I hope, I pray, that even in my imperfections, a new path may be traced, thought by thought, word by word.
Proverbs 15:28 reminds me: “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.” How I long for my heart to guide my tongue, for my words to build rather than wound. I must confess that I am not perfect, nor angelic, nor untouched by human flaws. Circumstances, negativity, impatience; all have too often held sway over my heart.
And so, I pause. I repent. I humbly seek forgiveness. Lord, I acknowledge my struggles with unkind words, my moments of impatience and anger. I ask, with sincerity, that You help me guard my tongue, renew my thoughts, and cultivate a heart that reflects Your grace. Proverbs 21:23 assures us: “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” Let this be my guiding principle, O Lord.
With all humility, I confess, I seek Your mercy. Heal my heart, renew my mind, and grant me peace. May my words be gentle, my thoughts noble, and my spirit ever lifted toward You. In the holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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