Listen

At one time you were like a dead person because of the things you did wrong and your offenses against God. You used to live like people of this world. You followed the rule of a destructive spiritual power. This is the spirit of disobedience to God’s will that is now at work in persons whose lives are characterized by disobedience. At one time you were like those persons. All of you used to do whatever felt good and whatever you thought you wanted so that you were children headed for punishment just like everyone else.

Ephesians 2:1-3

Think

When my twins were little, they use to love pretending to put each other in the “time-out” chair. One would sit in the corner and scream while the other one would stand guard. Then they would switch places. They hadn’t really done anything wrong, but they did understand that when someone made a poor choice, sitting in the time-out chair was the expected consequence for their actions.

We all make bad choices, even adults… especially adults. The trick is learning to recognize your mistakes and owning up to them. A self-imposed time-out is actually not a bad idea. It creates the space needed to consider choices that have hurt yourself or others and how to avoid repeating it. Maybe the sooner we learn to take a personal time out and authentically choose to make things right, the easier it will be to stand up and start again. Remember, God always loves. God always forgives. You are always safe in that knowledge.

Colleen Burroughs

Pray

Dear God, help me examine my heart. Make me brave enough to see where I have been wrong and work to make it right. Thank you for the ability to start over every day because of your love and forgiveness. Amen.

Go

Stretch wide your arms to the world.

Exhale peace in the knowledge that the Creator of the universe is as close as your very next breath.