Today’s scripture: Acts 13:15 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tommy Chittenden):
It’s about midnight as I sit at my Mama’s kitchen table in North Florida writing this to you. I just hugged and kissed my beautiful Cuban mother good night. Tomorrow is her first born son’s birthday. Except for the sound of trees acknowledging the breeze rushing through their branches and needles, it’s quiet. A huge contrast to the chaos of the sunlit days.
I’ve spent the last two days listening to the drama that has defined much my family’s life for as long as I remember. Until four and a half years ago it had defined a significant part of mine, also. As I patiently sat back listening to the pain, suffering, and victim narratives being described by my sisters and nieces, I noticed that for the first time I wasn’t attaching meaning to their stories — thereby perpetuating more suffering and inner conflict within myself. I was still “at peace”, I was still “free.” Any thoughts that came into my mind were met with curiosity and inquiry: “Is this even true?” Such an amazingly beautiful and powerful gift was now running on auto-pilot in the background of my thoughts — for me, a gift of grace from God.
If, in the process, I became aware of any personal stress or suffering, I questioned the thought — did what are called “turnarounds”, and observed the miracle of the stressful thoughts “letting go of me.” Why am I writing these words as part of Be Still and Know? I’m glad you asked. Here’s the answer.
Our editor asked us to choose a scripture verse or text around the topic of encouragement. Although having previously selected two different verses before arriving at Mama’s house, the amazing results of the past two days has made such a profound impact on my sense of well-being that I was prompted to go down this path instead.
I am learning that the beliefs and illusions held by us for most of our “limited” lives that are not true, will fall away and be replaced by God’s gifts of grace, (i.e. peace, joy, self-control, love). As we begin to experience more and more of the freedom to be the “unlimited love” that we are, we automatically become kinder to ourselves and one another. Encouragement, the act of giving hope or support, is such a beautiful gift whenever given. But the gift of teaching someone to recognize the emotional and spiritual warning signs that create discouragement and often leading to depression is priceless. The answer is inside each one — not just some — but all of us!
I invite you to consider these amazing words written by Marianne Williamson in her book, A Return To Love, and find encouragement in the Truth within them:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Thought for the day: I am Love, I am Light. I am a child of the Creator of the Universe. Meant to shine — as all children do. Prompt me to speak this truth in love to someone every day!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.