Pause

"How can you tell?"

That's a fair question whenever someone makes a prediction of what is going to happen, or even when they give an explanation for what is happening now.

There are signs for those who will see them. Take time now to watch for the signs God has for you.

Listen

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

Psalm 25:6-10

Think

I still remember once getting caught in a lie by my mother. I told her I was in one place when I was in another, and I got busted…big time. As a parent now, I can imagine how she felt – worry, mixed with anger, topped with disappointment. I’m not sure how she ever forgave me, let alone let me out of the house again. But she did and, while I had to serve my time being grounded, in the end I was forgiven. Once she felt that I was truly sorry and some time had passed, it was as if it never happened.

Now I am sure that she never truly forgot, and was always keeping a little closer eye on me as I grew up, but she never held it against me. God too is like that, when we mess up, God may get worried, angry, or disappointed, but God’s love overrides it all; our faltering is not held against us. When you mess up or when you make choices that are not the best, God forgives and allows you to keep trying. So when you do find yourself in those kinds of struggles, be humble in seeking forgiveness, and be bold in living as God intends.

Bruce Reyes-Chow

Pray

God, for the times that I have faltered, forgive me and give me the courage to keep trying. Help me to remember that you are still on my side. Amen.

Go

Go now with open eyes.
Go now with listening ears.
Make your way with the assurance
That God is leading you.
God is providing the signs you need
To see,
To hear,
To find your way.