“Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be. But what will happen in all the other days that ever come can depend on what you do today.” – Ernest Hemingway
I am grateful for all kinds of things this week. It’s been a busy one. I’m mostly grateful for the way God shows up in the littlest of ways, just to remind me that He is here and I am His.
When we are reminded each morning how very fortunate we are.
When silly text messages are sent in the middle of the day and I realize how very blessed I am to have friends in Oklahoma who didn’t walk away.
When I open the dishwasher to discover clean dishes once again.
When I look down at Natia smiling in her sleep.
When Linda sends a letter.
When I hear the worship song, “Breathe.”
When the postman knocks on our door for a certified signature and I find him sitting on our porch swing, enjoying a minute of break.
When three neighbor kids come over to hang out and eat our ice cream that we are no longer eating.
When I feel the sweet success of a productive day.
When Sam leans over and kisses me on the cheek, just because.
When I learn something new about The Lord’s Prayer, after thinking I knew it so well after all these years.
When I am hungry for bread, now that we are not eating it, and it causes me to remember to hunger for daily bread.
When I catch myself thinking, “I need to call Mom.”
When I am privileged to receive a phone call from my daughter and she tells me all the things.
When I read an exceptional devotion and it sticks.
Like this one. Too good to keep to myself.
“Give us today our daily bread.”
Our daily bread. I’ve been thinking a lot about this whole idea of daily provision, that God gives us what we need for this moment, not a shopping cart full of stuff for the next week.
I’m picturing my hands, empty palms up, open to receive God’s daily bread. This is a powerful image of vulnerability and need.
Yet, in truth my hands are rarely empty. More often my fingers are closed around false securities, my hands too full to receive God’s daily bread.
My hands grip those tasty crumbs of approval I got yesterday.
My hands cling to the bread of resentment as I nibble on it to feed my frustration.
My arms are filled with the illusions of self-sufficiency to ensure I don’t need to open my hands for help or provision.
My hands clutch my own sense of being right, the sweet bread of self-righteousness.
Or, sometimes my hands are filled to the brim with a sense of responsibility, racing from this commitment to the next, barely able to catch my breath much less pause let God provide what I need. I’m busy!
My hands are so full of things I cling to that I cannot receive God’s daily bread. I must empty my hands, release the false bread that I feed on, become empty again and turn to the One who knows what I need.
Then Jesus, the living bread, the bread that lasts, can fill me up.
Give me this day the grace to let go of all my hands carry, so that I may receive your daily bread. Amen. – Dr. Amy Oden
Dr. Amy Oden is Visiting Professor of Early Church History and Spirituality at Saint Paul School of Theology at OCU. Teaching is her calling, and she looks forward to every day with students. Her latest book (Right Here, Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness, Abingdon Press, 2017) traces ancient mindfulness practice for Christians today.
I am grateful for a Hemingway quote that I heard while watching John McCain’s funeral service.
I am grateful that there are moments where character and dignity and honoring a good man still exist.
I am grateful for simple revelations that are so very profound.
So for this very busy week, I am grateful for the reminders to empty my hands of all that does not matter in the mattering kinds of things.
I am grateful for the reminder that what I do with THIS day could kind of matter in all the rest of my days.
rhondaisgrateful 