Nourish Your Heart

What is my focus in life? My attitude toward everyday chores is very important. If I struggle to find meaning in them then they wear on me. They make me want to give up. I am depressed. I don’t want to keep going. But I must. And then, I begin to just survive today instead of live.

When I look at God and what he has done for me and when I am thankful to him, things are different. It doesn’t seem right. And it is definitely not natural. At least to me. I don’t naturally want to thank God for every blessing that I come across. I don’t see the blue blue sky. I don’t see the wind and feel it on my face. I don’t praise him for a home where I can sleep, eat and work. I don’t see the colors or enjoy the softness of a kitten’s fur. I don’t enjoy a moment of quiet.

But when I pay attention to God and what he says to me, I am thankful. And when I am thankful I see beauty everywhere. I see beauty even in the glint of that ornery cat’s eyes. I see feel joy when I get the dishes done because they are done and God was with me as I filled the dishwasher. I feel peace as I exercise because God gave me a way to get exercise and the health I need to do it. I feel gentleness toward the members of my household because God is gentle with me.

What is my focus in life? It should be God. Only as I point myself toward him do I see how he does indeed take care of me. I can see it in so many small ways.

Acts 20:2 Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope.

Lord, help me this day to find words of encouragement. Help me to speak words that lift the spirits of those around me. Help me to fill them with fresh hope. Help me to not just survive this day. Help me to live this day with joy, love, peace and hope.

Lord, thank you for being here with me this day. You are walking through this day with me.

You know who I am. You know what I’m going through. You named me and love me as your own.

Forgive me my sins. Spread your peace and joy thick around me. Cushion me with your comforting arms and lift me up.

Help me face this day with your hand holding mine.

Jeremiah 14:9 But God, you are, in fact, here, here with us! You know who we are—you named us! Don’t leave us in the lurch.

ACCEPT THE WEAK IN FAITH Romans 14:1 - Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.

Jesus left his heavenly glory to become man — to walk the don dusty Judean trails, to mingle with lepers and to train twelve unlearned men who would hold the keys to his Kingdom. Jesus died for all sinners. He became weak so we could become strong. He became nothing for us, so we could become the daughters of God.

Paul writes, “I became weak to win the weak. I became all things to all men to save some.” I Corinthians 9:22 He suggested the strong bear the failings of the weak. (Romans 15:1 – We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.)

Christians never stand on the same level of maturity in the church. Older Christians must teach babies to walk; they must stoop to carry the burdens of the weak in love. This sharing strengthens the strong and serves the weak.

Prayer: Lord help me to see and help those in need. Show me when my help is needed for my fellow man.