Ordinary Time

Pause

Take a deep breath, and let it out with a sigh.

Do it once more.

Close your eyes and slowly count to five.

Take another deep breath and be reminded of God’s presence in your life.

Listen

We live at best to be seventy years old, maybe eighty, if we’re strong. But their duration brings hard work and trouble because they go by so quickly. And then we fly off. Who can comprehend the power of your anger? The honor that is due you corresponds to your wrath. Teach us to number our days so we can have a wise heart.

Psalm 90:10-12

Think

Have you ever had to keep a journal or some sort of log? Have you ever had to closely monitor a particular aspect of your life? Often those exercises bring awareness to areas where change is needed in our lives.

The verses from today’s Psalm ask God to “teach us to number our days so we can have a wise heart.” Some translations say “counting” our days. Moses knew that “numbering our days,” or being aware of how we live, leads to increased wisdom. After examining how we spend our time, there will likely be both things that we would like to stop or change and things that we’d like to continue. It is comforting that this process of reflecting with God about our lives comes with the potential of increased wisdom.

At the end of the day, reflect on how you made your day “count” to God’s people and creation. What does that teach you about how you ought to live tomorrow?

Becky Ullom Naugle

Pray

God of all my moments and my days, teach me to understand the positive impact I can have on the world around me when I act out of love and compassion. Teach me to reflect on my life with you. Amen.

Go

Go into your day with confidence, knowing that God has promised to be with you always, even if God’s sense of timing is different from yours.

Remember God’s love for you; remember your love of God.

You cannot go where God is not!