One of my favorite words is “until.” It’s a word of hope and promise and also of direction. It’s a word that can pull you forward while at the same time setting your course and direction. We often say to each other “until we meet again,” holding out the promise of that future togetherness. Or, we might say to a child, “carry on with these activities until I come back,” giving direction and purpose to be held accountable in light of the promised return. When Jesus was sharing the passover meal with his disciples on the night of His arrest, He said to them, “I won’t partake of this again,…

There is a reason that God made daytime and nighttime. He set up the order of our world before He set us in it. You often hear about the need we have for balance in our lives, and Im sure there is truth in that. I prefer the word “rhythm.” That’s probably because I’m more of a musician or a poet than an athlete. Life is a dance, and rhythm is where the rest is. Anticipation is part of achieving rhythm. Knowing where she will step next before she steps is what gives a dancer that look of ease. Embracing the rhythm brings rest and confidence. There are a couple…

Yesterday morning as I was sitting with my coffee and watching the sun rise, I was suddenly filled with Hope. It was so much more than a sense of well-being. I was encouraged, strengthened, filled with joy. I felt that someone must be praying for me right at that moment. Then Jesus whispered gently to my heart, “I love you, and I am here.” I felt a little sheepish that my first thought had been that someone else was praying, although I am still sure that is the case. In the end, Jesus had to declare Himself. But isn’t that His way? He is so willing to make Himself known.…

I am so very aware of my need right now. I bet you are, too. When things are going smoothly, I can be lulled into feeling secure and confident in my own abilities. In other words, “Me do it myself,” as my toddlers were wont to say long ago when they were struggling to assert themselves. I’ve walked with the Lord for more than half a century, and the further we go together, the less I know, the less sure I am of myself, and the sooner I’m likely to come running to my Father with a cry for help. Learning to relish this child-to-Father relationship and accepting that it…