I WILL

Some have the "luxury" of coasting- in life, in relationships, in faith... by that I mean minimal effort with minimal consequence.  I have no such luxury.  If I slack even one day in any of those things, my life begins a rapid downward spiral; and the ride is terrifying.

On the other hand, I have the blessing of being "forced" to live extremely intentional every day, oftentimes even every moment.  I am thankful to have learned that through therapy, 12 step work, Scripture, and prayer.  A day doesn't go by where I wasn't engaged in each facet of that day.  Sometimes that sucks- there are a lot of things that happen in life that I'd rather be oblivious of.  But there are also a lot of things that happen that I wish others would see- the guy holding the door for another person, a smile as she reads a note, an ernest prayer, a tear, laughter, silence.........

One of the wisest things I have ever heard John Piper say is that we need to preach to ourselves- our tendency is to listen to ourselves far more than we speak to ourselves.  And he said one of the best ways to learn how to do that is spend time in the Psalms.  Today I needed someone to give me the words to tell myself.  Psalm 71 did it for me.

But I will hope continually 

   and will praise you yet more and more. 

My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, 

   of your deeds of salvation all the day, 

   for their number is past my knowledge. 

With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; 

   I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.