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Good morning!

As I purposefully went back to my old routine from years ago, I noticed a very different sense of peace come over me. It must be about 10 years ago that I had set intentional morning time with the Bible and prayer and a journal. No apps, no phone by my side just in case.

There wasn’t anything wrong with the app I was using. It is my favorite app on my phone and I still use it….my Bible app. But, I still noticed how easily my attention would go toward something I forgot to do, a text I needed to reply to or something I wanted to research. Pretty soon my attention was all over the place.

Ten years ago I discovered the beauty of that precious quiet time with God. And as I recovered that simple space, I once again found that peace. As I said, there is nothing wrong with using apps and I love to read what other people say, but it is easy for that to soon replace the direct relationship I had grown to love so much.

The first morning the Lord took me to 1 John and I just sat in it, saturated in the pure Light. It stayed with me all day.

The next morning I thought I’ll head back to 1 John since it was so good! But right away I felt the impression “that’s not where we’re going today!” I heard “fresh manna!” And so I said, “Ok, Lord, then where to?”

I popped my Bible open to Psalm 8:1-2

You have built a stronghold by the songs of children. Strength rises up with the chorus of infants. This kind of praise has power to shut Satan's mouth. Childlike worship will silence the madness of those who oppose you.

I laughed out loud as I recalled the day prior how much the impression God put on me all day was to have “childlike worship.” There it was as a smiling reminder that God is truly with me and He is always giving us these kinds of delights! I never want to miss one or gloss over them as coincidences.

Just before sitting to write this message, I read an email from someone who I have only known through social media connections. As he talked about the journey he’s been on and how On Fire Fit walked alongside of him over the past years, tears just started filling my eyes. You just don't always know how God is weaving things together and how our connections matter in the bigger plan He has.

I had been running on the treadmill this morning listening to Big Daddy Weave “My Story.” My childhood friend Heidi had claimed that as my song years ago when my intestine ruptured. As I listened to the words once again, I thought about legacy. I can say without any doubt that I would be so happy to be forgotten after I go, but for the love of Jesus to be what is left with people. I truly couldn’t imagine anything better.

It seems to me that no matter where we are on this journey in life, God has ways of showing up and showing out and grabbing our attention, refocusing us on what really matters, and bringing peace that the world so desperately needs.