Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
How’s your Lenten resolve going? Did you begin the day, as I did, “This is only the first week of Lent?
“And how many are there?
“Six???”
Ah, yes. Six. Just be glad you’re struggling with behavior changes rather than giving up chocolate. Have a piece of chocolate. It might get you through the day.
Once more, the reading today begins with Isaiah: “For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth…So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.”
Oh, oops. Remember that slip of the tongue? That complaint? The voiced frustration? Or perhaps someone said a harsh word to you. Remember your reaction?
Our thoughts and our words achieve the ends for which we send them.
Now there’s something to ponder for the day.
We so often think of prayer as being something formal, or for asking help or healing. What if your prayer thoughts and words were as simple as stopping for a moment and breathing? Just breathing? Or smiling at someone?
I’m big on looking out windows. When I need to calm and feel peaceful, I stand or sit and look out a window. I observe when I’m looking out a window, but I rarely “send” words or thoughts.
What helps you become conscious of your words and thoughts? What are your prayers, intentional or unintentional, sending out?
.
a mouth full of chocolate at least stops the words for a moment. mom had a big sign in her kitchen, forget love, i’ld rather fall in chocolate
Perfect! I love mom.
I keep reminding myself that I get in less trouble by staying silent than by speaking without thinking. Usually it works, but not always.
Would that chocolate fixed all those slips of the tongue!
Would that it would indeed!! My practice is avoiding abruptness; that takes a lot of practice too!
I just realized how i often send out the message to myself–and possibly to others–“not good enough.” This, too, indicates part of the behavior change I’m working on–find the good in what is.
Interesting what we learn about our messages, isn’t it. Thanks so much for adding your perspective.