Meditations on God

Deciding (Not) To Worry
Fear is a natural, involuntary response to a perceived threat.

Fear exists to help you survive in an often harsh and dangerous world.

Worry is something altogether different, however.

Worry is a story you tell yourself about fear.

Fear is immediate and about the present moment.

Worry, on the other hand, takes you out of this moment.

Worry is the projection of fear into the future; it is the fear of things to come.

But the future is not inevitable and to worry about it does nothing to improve it.

Worry prevents you from taking the necessary actions in this moment to improve your future, the very future you are worried about not being able to improve.

And while you cannot simply decide to never experience fear, you can decide to not add to fear with worry.
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June 27, 2023

action, choice, decisions, fear, worry
The Last Moment Like This
When your children get on your nerves, before you react, pause, take a breath, and try to imagine it is the last time they will ever do so.

When they talk too much or talk back to you…

When they nag or hassle you…

When they fight with you or with each other…

When they ask for or demand too much…

When they do not do what they are told or do the exact opposite of what you asked them to do…

When they break, lose, or do not appreciate what they have…

When they ask for your attention, support, or forgiveness…

When they want a hug, a song, or just a few more minutes of your time…

When they call you, visit you, or ask to spend the day with you…

Before you react, pause, take a breath, and try to imagine it is the last time they will ever do so.

Every moment is precious; they are fleeting and you will not get them back.

Pause, take a breath, and try to imagine that this is the last moment like this, because it is.
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June 26, 2023

childhood, children, parenthood, parenting, relationships, time
Willingness To Strength
The willingness to be helpful goes a long way.

As you go through life, you will see the people around you struggle.

They will go through hardships, challenges, and difficulties.

Sometimes you can help them, but other times you cannot.

This may be because you do not have the resources to do so.

Perhaps they do not want your help.

Or maybe there is simply nothing that can be done.

Your presence, in these instances, may be all you have to offer.

You can be there for and through the struggle, willing to help in any way you can, even if you can’t.

This willingness is not a hollow sentiment.

If you mean it, it means something.

It matters.

Your presence and your willingness matter.

In fact, sometimes your presence and willingness to help may be the thing that gives the other person the strength to survive hardship, to overcome challenges, and to push through difficulty.

Your willingness can become someone else’s strength.
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June 25, 2023

help, strength, support, willingness
Stewards Of Potential
As parents, we are often torn between what we want for our children and what they actually need.

We want what we think is best for them, but we can be blinded by love, concern, and fear.

Our own hopes, desires, aspirations, and regrets get in the way of seeing what they truly need from us.

Instead of seeing who they are, we see who we want them to be.

But our children are so much more than simply who we raise and teach them to be.

We can try to mold and shape them with the best of intentions, but they have a say.

Their personalities and characters exist apart from, and even in spite, of what we want for them.

It is our job to look past our own expectations, to see our children for who they truly are, and to help them to become the best version of that person.

Our job as parents is to be good stewards of our children’s potential.

This means understanding that their potential is not bound by our limitations.
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June 24, 2023

child raising, children, desires, fear, hope, needs, parenting, potential
All You Can Do
You will not always know how to help the people you love or care about.

The right words or actions will not always be obvious or apparent.

In fact, sometimes there is nothing you can do to make things better or easier for them.

But you can be present and you can be willing.

And sometimes this is enough.

Simply knowing you are there and that you care is something.

It is a lot, actually.

In fact, sometimes it is everything.
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June 23, 2023

attention, caring, comfort, love, presence

Deciding (Not) To Worry

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The Last Moment Like This

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Willingness To Strength

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Stewards Of Potential

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All You Can Do

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