Habit

Letter 4559

Habit — purple linocut illustration

I started with an idea that I would daily write a note. Now there is a library.

I began to set aside a few coins daily. Now there are resources to address calamity.

I sit in devotion and prayer daily, even as a nonbeliever. Slowly, you drew near to me and my faith became an oak.

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Such small starts, such gradual progress, such undeniable growth.

Let me start something new today, Lord.

Consider:

What small, new habit might I add into my life?

Reading:

❖ “Large streams from little fountains flow; / Tall oaks from little acorns grow;” — David Everett, The Juvenile Orator

❖ “the work of the Lord was begun, and gradually carried on in me, even from my childhood.” — George Fox, Journal

❖ “For who hath despised the day of small things?” — Zechariah 4:10 (KJV)

Thank you for reading. If this helped you today, please consider sharing it.

~B.R.

Broad View

Letter 4558

Broad View — purple linocut illustration

When I look closely at the corners of my room, I see only the need for a dusting. Only by looking up and around do I see the many books, the warm fire, the soft cushion. The room is arranged well for study.

Looking at the fields, I might easily see only the fence that needs mending, and bounty growing across the land.

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Lord, let me see a broader picture today.

Consider:

Can I widen my view today?

Reading:

❖ “To see a world in a grain of sand / And a Heaven in a wild flower,” — William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

❖ “Where hast Thou not walked with me, O Truth, teaching me what to beware, and what to desire;” — Augustine of Hippo, Confessions

❖ “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:” — 2 Corinthians 4:18 (KJV)

Thank you for reading. If this helped you today, please consider sharing it.

~B.R.

Of Use

Letter 4557

Of Use — purple linocut illustration

Of what use am I in this world?

Let me listen:

To your calling.

To the needs I see.

To the capacities within me.

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To the peace brought when my actions align with your will.

Let me listen for guidance, Lord.

Consider:

Can I be still enough to discern your will today?

Reading:

❖ “I exist as I am, that is enough,” — Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

❖ “There are three kinds of silence; the first is of words, the second of desires, and the third of thoughts.” — Miguel de Molinos, The Spiritual Guide

❖ “Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” — 1 Samuel 3:10 (KJV)

Thank you for reading. If this helped you today, please consider sharing it.

~B.R.

Persistence

Letter 4556

Persistence — purple linocut illustration

The daily things I do, the daily chores — will one day of effort get done the task? Will one day off destroy the labor?

No, and yes. If the front room is not swept for a day, or even two, there will be dust but it will be easily cleaned on the third day.

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It is the constancy of the work that does its job. You do not demand the rooms be swept, Lord. You are teaching me to persist.

Let me persist.

Consider:

Can I be consistent today?

Reading:

❖ “If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,” — Rudyard Kipling, If—

❖ “It is conformity to this will, that makes the ordinary actions of men on earth become an acceptable service to God.” — William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life

❖ “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” — Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

Thank you for reading. If this helped you today, please consider sharing it.

~B.R.