Oct 22 & 23, 2025 – Slow Down
I don’t know that I’ve ever been bored in my life, at least not that I can remember, until now. For most of my life, whenever I have found myself on the verge of any level of boredom, I have almost always found something to do, productive or not. I do procrastinate on some of the big things, like cleaning out the garage, but there seems to be a never-ending list of things to organize or clean or plan or figure out or write or watch or read. Even when I was on bed rest with the boys I don’t remember being bored. I wasn’t able to get up and do chores or even take care of my four year old, but I knew the work that God and I were doing, getting the boys safely into this world, was important work – and a season of rest for me.
The thing is, I like to have choices (perhaps due to my ADD); however, because I’m still not supposed to “fire” the muscles and tendons in my right arm too much, and am like a toddler learning to do things (with my left hand/arm), my choices are a bit limited; so, I find myself stopping short of attempting to do many of the things I would typically do since they require, or are just easier with, two hands. And, by easier, I mean faster. I tend to do things quickly, even eating. The physical therapists have to keep telling me to slow down in my exercises. I remember when my parents and I took the kids to Disney World and my boys told me to slow down because Grandpa couldn’t keep up. I told them he’s why I walk fast, because I always had to try to keep up with him, even during my childhood trip to Disney World. At one of his Ranger reunions, his radio operator told me that it took three men passing the radio off to keep up with his long legs in the field.
Alas, we have to be amenable to things and people changing in our lives and adapt accordingly. My father was exemplary in how he adapted as he aged keeping his spirits up and always being ready to go despite his physical limitations, even to the end. In this season of recovery, I have to move more slowly and intentionally. I suppose it’s not a bad thing to learn to do that especially as we age (did I really say that). I think a lot of injuries happen when people move fast, or too fast. I’ll do my best to take this lesson to heart and see if God is trying to teach, or show, me something that I would likely miss if I rushed on by.
I got sidetracked while writing my blog, several times, yesterday; so, I’ll combine the 22nd and 23rd as I spend time with God in these devotions this early Thursday morning. The sun isn’t even up, so that’s one less distraction. It’s good that I’m getting an early start (the pain woke me) because I have a non-stop day ahead of me with likely no time to write. No chance of boredom today!
JA 22nd– I hope I never lose this feeling of awe I get when I read something that clearly indicates God has gone before me and is here with me. Isaiah 41:13 is one of the verses for today, “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Young expresses the heart of God as she writes, “Don’t be afraid to tell me how weak and weary – even overwhelmed – you feel at times. I am fully aware of the depth and breadth of your difficulties; Nothing is hidden from Me. Although I know everything, I wait to hear from you. Pour out your heart to Me, for I am your refuge…. Relax deeply with Me; Release yourself from striving to perform. Be still, letting My presence refresh and renew you. When you are ready, ask Me to show you the way forward. Remember that I never leave your side; I am holding you by your right hand.” My right hand!
JA 23rd – “DO NOT DESPISE SUFFERING. It reminds you that you are on a pilgrimage to a far better place… While you continue your journey through this world, be thankful for the comforts and pleasures I bless you with. And reach out to others who are suffering. I comfort you in all your troubles so that you can comfort others. Offering help to hurting people gives meaning to your suffering – and glory to Me!” See 2 Corinthians 1:4
Utmost – 22nd – Romans 8:16 – “ The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit….” Chambers writes, “We are in danger of getting the barter spirit when we come to God, we want the witness before we have done what God tells us to do…. you are in the road as long as you won’t abandon absolutely to Him. Immediately you do, God witnesses to Himself; He cannot witness to you, but He witnesses instantly to His own nature in you. If you had the witness before the reality, it would end in sentimental emotion…. As soon as you abandon reasoning and argument, God witnesses to what He has done, and you are amazed at your impertinence in having kept Him waiting…. The spirit witnesses only to His own nature and to the work of redemption, never to our reason.”
Utmost 23rd – “Instead of God being on the side of our prejudices, He is deliberately wiping them out…. There is only one thing He wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender…. How are we going to…. The only way is by allowing not a bit of the old life to be left, but only simple perfect trust in God, such trust that we no longer want God’s blessings, but only want Himself. Have we come to the place where God can withdraw His blessings and it does not affect our trust in Him?
Prevail #296 – Ephesians 6:16 – “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Larson writes, “Start saying NO to the enemy. Raise your shield.” And she leads us in prayer, “Father, You’ve equipped me to win in battle. Teach me to stand in faith. Amen.”
Prevail #297 – “Whenever we try to rush maturity, or sprint through grief, or blow past our weaknesses, we actually slow down our spiritual development…. I have a unique vantage point now that my sons are grown. We were purposeful in teaching our sons to know God’s love, to treasure his voice, and to understand that his ways are best…. Each of them walked through their share of hurts, missteps, and trials that left me unnerved and wondering what would happen to the precious faith we’d nurtured deeply when they lived under our roof…. But as I’ve learned to entrust the middle story and the final outcome to God, I’ve watched His guiding hand gently move them back to the center of His will. He’s not in a hurry. He’s OK with the process. He will finish what He started.”
Philippians 1:6 – “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
I encourage you to slow down today, when you can, and smell the roses, even if you have to pick a rose and smell it as you go. Don’t forget to notice the beauty and blessings God is showing you today, and every day.
