Presence

Lord, thank you for being my companion on life’s journey, each day, and in each moment, including this one. Help me to tune in to your presence now… 

Scripture

1 Peter 3:8-9

⁸ Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. ⁹ Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse, but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.

Reflection

How fast we are to rise to the bait. To swap insult for insult. To cut people down because we feel offended. To let others push our buttons. Too often, we regret what we say in haste and then let guilt eat into us as we struggle to forgive both our castigators and ourselves. Somewhere along the way, we’ve forgotten how to pause. The first word in our response to a cutting remark or accusation should always be a breath. That simple breath will give our emotions time to dissipate and our minds time to think. We can anchor this breath with a trigger, say, sticking our thumb between our fore and middle fingers and then, and only then, do we reply. Reply. Not retaliate.   

Closing Prayer

Dear God, if today, you place in my path someone who accuses me of wrongdoing or rails against me for something I haven’t done, let the first word of my reply be a breath. Give me the grace to recognise the situation and act on your word so that I may inherit your blessing. Help me live my faith. Amen.