Pause – Just for Today

Just for today: serve notice to Chaos that you won't let it control you, then step back. Breathe, look, laugh, appreciate, and give.

Life has been heavy for the past few months. Wave after wave of ‘what’s next?’ threaten to knock us down. We struggle to find our spiritual balance. The truth is, we are standing on the rock. The truth is we are safe. The truth is we are loved and cherished. But we can’t hear that truth if we are standing too close to the sea of chaos that threatens to tug us further in.

Just for today

Turn off the news.

Take a step back and…

Breathe.
Take a few deep, slow breaths. Exhale just as slowly. Give thanks for each breath.

Then…
Look.
Take a moment to look around your world and see the beauty. There is beauty there, you know, but only if you look for it. Give thanks for that beauty.

Then…
Laugh.
If you haven’t had a good laugh for a few days, it might take a bit of effort to prime that laughter pump. But once laughter begins to flow, it will heal your heart. Go watch some silly dog or cat videos on YouTube. Exercise those facial muscles. Stretch your lips into a smile, and give your frown muscles a break. Give thanks for laughter.

Then…
Appreciate. Reach out to someone – anyone – who has touched your life, even in a small way. Thank them, and be specific in that thanks. It could be someone from your past, it could be someone who held the elevator door for you, or who bagged your groceries just the way you like them to be packed. Look them in the eyes and say those words with intention. Let your gratitude go beyond polite courtesy. Give thanks for the goodness of God shown to us through smiles and kind gestures.

Then…
Give.
Give your time, your ear, and your heart to someone who needs to process through a difficult moment. Listen first, then formulate your response after they speak, not while they speak. Make sure your heart is the first thing they hear.
Give thanks for the abundance of God’s grace that spills out from you to others who need it just as much as you do.

Just for today: serve notice to Chaos that you won’t let it control you, then step back. Breathe, look, laugh, appreciate, and give.

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All Bible verses attributed to the ESV version unless otherwise indicated.

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Until Next Week,

©2020 Katherine Walden