I remember my spiritual director encouraging me to take the word that I receive in my morning study and carrying it with me throughout the day. I have found the word that is given to me is very often personal and intimate. It is an encouragement that my heart needed. So sometimes I take the word or phrase that is illuminated in my reading or listening of Scripture and write in on my planner for the day. This morning practice of (Lectio divina)https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/catholic/2000/08/how-to-practice-lectio-divina.aspx almost always is spot on to what I need to hear. So instead of receiving that sweet word just in the morning, I can carry it throughout my day with me like a love letter from my Heavenly Father. (P.s- I used to know how to do a link but I am writing while my techie hubby sleeps so nothing fancy this morning with computer stuff).

One way to interact with the Bible is to read it. I like to read a small portion for this practice of lectio divina. But often in busier seasons I have found joy in listening to a passage while I take a walk in the cool mornings. The amazing thing about the faith journey is that we can pick and choose what tools help us connect with God. A tool that may have been transformational in the past may need to be put back in the toolbox and a new tool brought out. When we first moved back home to CA, the practice of reading Scripture and journaling was just not connecting with my spirit. It is likely since my heart just felt so unsettled as I tried to bring peace to our home via unpacking. My lifelines in that season were literally just sitting, breathing deep and resting in God and daily walks.

Lately I have been listening to the “Daily Gospel” in the app Hallow while on my morning walk. This app has been an amazing tool with mental health sections, prayer sections etc. You pick the voice that reads to you. I have a soothing voice of a mama named Abby. I love to walk before the sun comes up over the mountain. So the first thing that stood out to me from Matthew was this phrase, “you have revealed them to the childlike” (this is Jesus speaking to the Father about revealing truth to people).

I love looking up definitions to bring greater clarity. I looked up childlike: innocent, simple, unworldly, trusting, unaffected, open, frank, uninhibited, natural, spontaneous, down to earth.

This word is a positive compliment meaning one has good qualities associated with a child unlike the word childish.

Lord, help me to be innocent.

Help me to be simple.

Help me to be unworldly. I see worldly as being caught up in the cares of this world like name brands, appearances, status, keeping up with the Jones, pleasure seeker, pursuing wealth and power.

Help me to be trusting yet also wise in whom or what I trust.

Help me to be unaffected. Unaffected by the steady stream of negativity all around me. Getting off social media has helped me a ton. Help me not be affected by other peoples’ funk.

Help me to be open to others and to be my true self.

Help me to be frank and say what is on my heart instead of hiding in fear.

Help me to be uninhibited and bold and not be bound by fear.

Help me to be naturally who I am.

Help me to lean into spontaneity.

Help me to be down to earth, chill, rooted, grounded and at peace.

The second thing that stood out to me is when Jesus is talking about truth and who God reveals it to. “and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” I love this reminder that God can reveal himself to whomever he wishes. God does not live in boxes created by man. My younger self could rattle off a long list of whom does not have the “true” revelation of God. The older me is getting more comfortable with letting God be God. Even that language of “letting” sounds funny. Who am I to say who has divine revelations from God. My time and mental energy is better spent on pursuing and seeking God and waiting for God to drop glorious ah-ha moments into my spirit instead of erecting more mental walls of who is in and who is out.