Piloting Faith: We are all moving so fast and missing what matters...

A Word for the Day...

Last week I had the chance to spend two days with dear friends. They welcomed me to their beautiful lake home. We ate thoughtful, generous meals they prepared in anticipation of my arrival. Each morning we took long walks in the woods by their home. We savored our morning coffee while watching the birds outside the kitchen window. We played together with their dog. We talked about life, our work, our heartbreak with the world. We were deeply, fully present with each other.

When I drove off at the end of our visit, I thought about how rare and precious that experience was for me. I felt healed in a way I didn't even know I needed. Only love and friendship can do that.

I pray that you are lucky enough to spend time with people that you love and that you slow down enough to be fully present with each other. We are all moving so fast these days. Our souls aren't built for this fast food diet of technology addiction and constant motion. We are missing so much that matters.

If you have the chance, make it a priority to be present with someone today. Really see them, and let them see you. If you're lucky, when you look at them, you might also catch a glimpse of God looking back.

Prayer for the Week

Gracious God,

I turn from all that's old and past today,
I turn from selfish sin,
and turn with all my heart to you.

Free me from my old ideas, my lesser self,
my prideful determination
to make my own way in the world.
That was the way of death, not life.
I let it all go.

Raise me up from these waters
to a new life like that of Jesus.
By your grace, make me new
that I might faithfully walk the Way of Love.

Amen

(adapted from The Prayer Wheel by Patton Dodd, Jana Riess, and David Van Biema)