this Moment

We swirl.  Baby girl in arms.  Brother spinning with us.  All laughter and shining eyes as the world blends together around us. 

We stop to gather our bearings.  The room is spinning while we are standing still.  Joy and excitement fill us, body and soul. 

We begin again.  Squeals of glee, tiny teeth brilliant white.  And I remember Him…my God who created this preciousness.  He made these priceless little lives.  He made this moment. 

I am thankful.  I feel my chest tense as if tears are forming, but I am too happy in this moment…this treasure…this memory. 

We move to the crib.  It’s “night-night” time.  Brother kisses baby girl’s head.  I see him breathe her smell in.  I lay her down and she plays “peek-a-boo” through the knitting of the hand-crocheted blanket Holly made her.  We do this daily…peek through those holes so lovingly made by a friend…sparkling eyes giggling at me. 

He gave this right-now to me and I feel loved.  May I push aside all the hurry of today and enjoy Him in each of my moments…worship.

I Must Be Ready

They shoot from my mouth, aflame and dangerous.  Filled with power and unyielding strength, they blaze from my lips into the open.

Their origin was my heart, meticulously formed in that factory I manage.  Their quality depends upon the value of materials I used for their assembly. 

Sometimes I am focused, attentive.  I remember that the best quality comes from Christ.  I use only what would please Him.  But other times I am tired, distracted, angry.  I think of myself and my needs.  Regrettably, I pour in self-satisfying ingredients.

They are stored within my deepest self.  Godliness and wretchedness all in one place to be used at each interaction… friend, foe, parent, child, pastor, boss, husband, stranger

I must be ready.

For each time I speak either a weapon or a gift will fly from that storehouse deep within me.  Whether excited or nervous, calm or apathetic, Christ-minded or self-motivated…

I must be ready.

The words of my mouth could zip like a piercing arrow, leading the unsuspecting recipient to their spiritual death.   Or maybe my language would only be a stone in their path, causing them to stumble and fall.

No!  I want to only reach for the high-value words produced by my heart…those inspired by Christ’s life-giving Word.  May the words of my mouth shine on others… warm, soothing, invigorating.  May my words be so like Christ’s that when they are received, a picture of His death and resurrection are seen.

Lord, make my heart and my mouth only form words that reflect who You are and inspire others to seek You and live a life of One-True-God-worship.

Let the words of my mouth

And the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14