Something to Ponder from Reverend Mary White
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, acceptance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
– Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
Reading ~ The Choice
Every moment of every day, we make decisions. Some so seemingly insignificant that we slip into their pattern without being conscious of it, but they begin to frame us, whether we realize it or not.
Will I scrape out of bed when the alarm clock goes off at 5am so I can be ahead of the game, or will I snuggle down under the duvet with the one I love and enjoy the “peace together, before the mayhem of traffic, meetings and work?
Will I keep buying into the notion that I can buy happiness, or will I invest my time and money in people?
Will I spend an extra thirty minutes on the phone listening to my friend who is struggling, or will I screen the call, knowing that I’m running late?
Will I pause to pray or reflect or just sit in the stillness before I jump headlong into my day, or will I move ahead as though it all rests on me?
Will I put away my iPhone long enough to see the person standing in front of me or behind me in the queue at the grocery store or sitting next to me on the bus?
And these are the easy choices, of course. But what are they turning me into? Which direction are they pointing me in?
– Sally Foster-Fulton “Dancing In The Desert”
Prayer
Creator God,
We thank you for the beauty of your springtime creation, awakening buds and blooms, lengthening blue skies and sunshine. Awaken hope within us. Renew us. Redeemer God, we thank you for Jesus, for his parables and teaching, healing and caring, for his life and death and resurrection. Awaken love within us. Renew us. Companion God, we thank you for your Holy Spirit, for your comfort and guidance, presence and trust. Awaken faith within us. Renew us. Creator, Redeemer, Companion, we bring our praise and thanks to you.
– Ruth Bowen